Steven Vela, MD

Meet Steven Vela, MD

Precision, compassion, and decades of surgical excellence in the Coastal Bend

Dr. Steven Andrew Vela is a board-certified general surgeon who has served the Corpus Christi community for 20 years. At CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic,

Dr. Vela is recognized as a regional leader in advanced minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery, as well as in breast-related surgical conditions. He blends a high-volume clinical practice with a patient-first philosophy, ensuring that every individual, regardless of language or background, receives world-class surgical care rooted in respect and clear communication.

Career at a Glance

• 20+ Years of dedicated surgical service in South Texas.
• Top 10% Regional Volume: Recognized as a "High-Volume" provider for Ventral Hernia and Gallbladder procedures.
• 9+ Peer-Reviewed Publications with over 900 references.
• Leadership: Former Nueces County Medical Society President, multiple hospital leadership positions held over the years, including Chief of Surgery
• Bilingual Advocacy: Full clinical fluency in English and Spanish.

Clinical Role and Leadership

As a senior surgical specialist affiliated with CHRISTUS Health in Corpus Christi, Dr. Vela plays a key leadership role in improving access to modern surgical care in South Texas. He has helped establish CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic as a regional hub in the Coastal Bend community for minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery as well as comprehensive breast cancer treatment. Dr.Vela provides specialized care for conditions such as:

• Hernia repair (inguinal, ventral, umbilical, and hiatal)
  • Groin, or inguinal hernias
  • Epigastric hernias
  • Hiatal hernias
  • Incisional hernias
  • Umbilical (belly button) hernias
• Gallbladder disease:
  • Gallstones
  • Cholecystitis
  • Gallbladder removal
• Breast cancer surgery, (lumpectomy, mastectomy)
• Gastrointestinal tumors (colorectal, small intestine)
• Appendicitis and bowel obstructions
• Soft tissue masses and skin malignancy

What You Can Expect from Care with Dr. Vela

Dr. Vela prioritizes direct, respectful communication and shared decision-making with every patient. He believes a surgical plan should address not just the disease, but the individual behind it. As a fluent Spanish speaker, he ensures no one feels excluded from understanding their diagnosis or treatment options. You can expect:

• Respectful, bilingual communication in English and Spanish
• Clear explanations of procedures and recovery expectations
• Empathy-driven consultations that prioritize your concerns
• Evidence-based recommendations tailored to your lifestyle
• Accessible follow-up and collaborative decision-making

Clinical Mentorship and Professional Stewardship

Within the Coastal Bend, Dr. Vela’s "teaching" is deeply practical and hands-on. As a senior surgeon at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, he serves as a preceptor for surgical staff and residents, providing critical guidance in the latest surgical protocols. His role ensures that the high standards of modern surgery are passed down to the next generation of clinicians.

Beyond the operating room, his long-standing leadership roles in the Nueces County Medical Society, including serving as a past president and member of the Board of Censors, position him as a steward of medical ethics. In these capacities, he mentors young physicians on professional conduct and the core values of patient-centered care, safeguarding the quality of medicine across South Texas.

Advanced Surgical Innovation

A proponent of medical technology, Dr. Vela maintains specialized technical credentialing for the da Vinci ® Surgical System. By utilizing robotic and laparoscopic tools, he offers procedures with smaller, more precise incisions, significantly reduced postoperative pain, and faster recovery times for many abdominal and hernia procedures.

Education and Certifications

• Medical School: University of Michigan Medical School (Ann Arbor, MI)
• Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas, TX)
• Board Certification: American Board of Surgery (ABS)
• Memberships: Texas Surgical Society, Parkland Surgical Society and The American Society of Breast Surgeons
• Affiliations: CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital, Spohn Surgical Hospital, and Corpus Christi Medical Center

Research and Global Peer Education

Dr. Vela’s academic foundation includes significant contributions to the study of diabetic foot ulceration, with work published in top-tier journals like Diabetes Care. With over 10 publications, numerous presentations and nearly 1000 citations, he remains dedicated to the pursuit of academic excellence in surgery.

• The effect of increased weight on peak pressures: implications for obesity and diabetic foot pathology
• Choosing a Practical Screening Instrument to Identify Patients at Risk for Diabetic Foot Ulceration
• Practical criteria for screening patients at high risk for diabetic foot ulceration
• Is postural instability exacerbated by off-loading devices in high risk diabetics with foot ulcers?
• Reducing Plantar Pressure in the Neuropathic Foot: A comparison of footwear
• Total contact casts: Pressure reduction at ulcer sites and the effect on the contralateral foot
• 1997 William J. Stickel Bronze Award. Comparison of strategies for reducing pressure at the site of neuropathic ulcers
• Novel methodology to obtain salient biomechanical characteristics of insole materials
• Reducing Dynamic Foot Pressures in High-Risk Diabetic Subjects With Foot Ulcerations: A comparison of treatments