Joseph C. Gathe Jr., M.D., F.A.C.P., F.I.D.S.A.
A Houstonian since 1960, Joseph Gathe, Jr. graduated from Strake Jesuit College Preparatory as the second ranked academic student and was recognized with top honors in both science and foreign language. He then attended and graduated from Trinity University in three years Summa Cum Laude and was awarded the Presidential scholarship every year for maintenance of a 4.0 grade point average. Subsequently, Dr. Gathe received his MD degree from Baylor College of Medicine with honors in 1981. During medical school he was the recipient of the Alpha Omega Honor Society Award, and was recognized as a Henri J. Kaiser Merit Scholar. Dr. Gathe completed an internship and residency program at Baylor College of Medicine and was recognized over that period of time as the Most Outstanding Resident in Internal Medicine. Prior to his fellowship training in Infectious Diseases at the Methodist Hospital in Houston he was appointed as the first African American Chief Resident at St. Luke’s Hospital in 1984. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine, a Fellow in the American College of Physicians and a Fellow in the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Dr. Gathe has been in private practice in Houston since 1986, providing both inpatient and outpatient infectious diseases specialty care, serving in the community where he was born and raised. He maintains one of the largest private practice clinics for HIV patients in the United States and experience gained here has led to his recognition as an International Thought Leader in the care of those living with HIV infection. As part of his clinic, Dr. Gathe has an active clinical research initiative and has been Principal or Co-Investigator for over 200 protocols focused on improving the status of persons living with HIV. He has published extensively on these topics in professional journals such as AIDS, Journal of Infectious Diseases, Annals of Internal Medicine, Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and American Journal of Medicine. Importantly, he has several ‘world’s first” presentations including the successful treatment of CNS toxoplasmosis (a fatal parasitic infection of the brain) with tetracycline derivatives (1991), effective treatment of cryptosporidium diarrhea (which prior had led to dehydration and death) with Paramomcyin (1991) and Rifaximin (2008), and finally the first presentation describing the ability to control the HIV virus in a high percentage of patients with simply using one active HIV drug instead of three (2004).
While healthcare delivery continues to change, Dr. Gathe remains dedicated to the patients he serves and to the advancement of medical science to ensure equal access to the most advanced medical care for all.
APPOINTMENTS:
Trinity University Board of Visitors, 2023
Executive Director, Cure Covid Consortium 2020- Present
Chairman of the Health Advocacy Committee NAACP- Houston 2020-Present
IDSA-HIVMA Board of Directors, 2006-2008
Scientific Director-Black Clinical Research Consortium ,2004 Chief of Infectious Diseases-Park
Plaza Hospital, 2002-2008
Board of Directors- Integrated Minority AIDS Network Incorporated ,2001-2007
Advisory Board – Diocesan AIDS Ministry, 2000 Medical Director - Donald R. Watkins
Memorial Foundation
Non-profit organization, provides primary healthcare services to indigent population ,1988-2000
Board of Trustees – AIDS Foundation of Houston ,1989-1991
Co-Director, Special Disease Unit =
Park Plaza Hospital, Houston, Texas ,1987-2000
Baylor College of Medicine Department of Internal Medicine Clinical Instructor ,1987-2000
Fellow American College of Physicians ,1998
Fellow Infectious Diseases Society of America ,1997
HIGHLIGHTED HONORS:
Trinity University Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award, 2022
NAACP President Award Recipient, 2023
100 Black Men Humanitarian of the Year Service Award, 2022
Joe Biden’s Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, 2021
Houston Random Act of Kindness Day and The Lemon Tree Foundation
Houston Humanitarian Award, 2020
Greater Houston Frontiers Club Drum Major for Change Award, 2020
Texas Women’s Empowerment Foundation Empowerment Award Recipient,
2004
J P Morgan Chase
Center for Houston’s Future Leadership Award, 2003
African-American Health Care Trailblazers Hall Of Fame, 1998, 1999