OUR STAFF
OUR MISSION
At Flow Vascular our mission is to provide the highest level of overall service, vascular care, and optimal therapy to our patients and our community.
MEET THE TEAM
Flow Vascular is one of the leading dialysis access and limb salvage practices in Southeast Texas with Board Certified Vascular surgeons on staff. Our highly skilled vascular surgeons are seasoned professionals with experience in the most progressive, cutting edge vascular care available today!
KARL ILLIG, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer, Director, Research and Education
Board Certification: Vascular Surgery
Fellowship: University of Rochester Medical Center
Residency: University of Rochester Medial Center (including two years of research)
Medical School: Cornell University Medical College (AOA 1988)
College: Harvard University (cum laude, 1984)
How long have you worked at Flow Vascular?
Since 2021. Prior to coming to Flow Vascular, I was Chief of Vascular Surgery and Program Director at Rochester until 2011, Chief of Vascular Surgery and Associate Chair at the University of South Florida until 2018, and worked with John Ross at the Dialysis Access Institute in South Carolina until moving here in 2021.
Anything else? I am proud to be a Past President of PVSS (now renamed Vascular and Endovascular Surgical Society), a past member (and current senior board examiner) of the Vascular Surgical Board of the ABS), Distinguished Fellow of the Society for Vascular Surgery, and member of the American Surgical Association. I am currently the Editor-in-Chief of “Principles of Dialysis Access,” to be published by Springer in 2023.
What influenced you to get into this field of work? I always wanted to be a surgeon, and fell in love with vascular surgery during my training in Rochester where I worked with multiple past and present giants in the field. Over the past decade I realized that patients with renal failure are grossly underserved, and at the same time found out how fun it could be. Since 2018 my entire professional life has been devoted to the care of this group of patients, including strenuous outreach to help improve such care worldwide.
What makes you good at what you do? I am full of enthusiasm, wear my heart on my sleeve, and am a perfectionist. I have also been very lucky to have received extraordinary training at extraordinary institutions, and have done over 13,000 surgical cases. I think “good” surgeons are primarily good decision-makers!
What do you love about what you do? There is enough sameness to get very good at this, but enough variety to make every day interesting. Our patients do very well, and that makes coming to work every day easy!
What’s your favorite activity outside of work? My wife and I love to golf together. I am an avid reader and a fine-scale model railroader.
What is something that others would be surprised about you? 40 years (and pounds) ago I was a high school All-American and college Division I All-Ivy springboard diver. I almost made the 1984 Olympic Trials!
RONALD CHANG, M.D.
Vascular Surgeon
Board Certification: Vascular Surgery (pending)
Fellowship: Emory University 2020-2022
Residency: McGovern Medical School (UTHealth) 2013-2020
Medical School: Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine 2009-2013
College: Washington University in St. Louis 2005-2009
How long have you worked at Flow Vascular? Starting September 2022
What influenced you to get into this field of work? Challenging work in an underserved patient population.
What makes you good at what you do? Perseverance and attention to detail.
What do you love about what you do? Using all of the tools at our disposal (including medications, endovascular procedures, and surgery) to help patients achieve optimal outcomes and better quality of life.
What’s your favorite activity outside of work? Family time with my wife Leslie and son Ethan!
What do you enjoy doing during your spare time? Cooking, biking, rock climbing.
What is something that others would be surprised about you? I completed a triathlon in 2011!
JOHN ROSS, M.D.
Surgery, Industry and Education Outreach
Board Certification: General Surgery
Residency: University of South Carolina 1979
Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina 1974
College: Florida State (Chemistry and Mathematics) 1971
What is your role at Flow Vascular? I practiced in rural South Carolina for three decades, ultimately founding Dialysis Access Institute in Orangeburg, the prototype for the Comprehensive Dialysis Access Center concept. At FLOW I am involved with the education, clinical trials, and consortium efforts, using my experience and contacts to continue to push these concepts.
What influenced you to get into this field of work? Originally I fell into the dialysis access field because no one else wanted to do it, but very quickly realized that doing access right saves lives. My mission has been to spread this gospel.
What makes you good at what you do? My work effort and enthusiasm are second to none.
What do you love about what you do? Both providing the best possible care to my patients, and the mentoring and personal aspect of working with others.
What’s your favorite activity outside of work? Right now, watching the waves come in from my front porch on Fripp Island, GA.
What is something that others would be surprised about you? I own three planes and hold several aerobatic records!
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Our Leadership Team is committed to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and compassionate patient care. Through strategic guidance and collaborative support, they work to ensure every aspect of the practice operates efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of clinical and operational quality.
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With a strong focus on patient outcomes, team development, and partnership with referring providers and dialysis communities, our leaders are dedicated to advancing comprehensive vascular and dialysis access care. Their vision and commitment help drive our mission of delivering exceptional service, personalized care, and meaningful results for every patient we serve.
PATIENT CARE
Our Patient Care Coordinator's play an essential role in guiding patients through every step of their care journey. Combining the expertise of our Scheduling Coordinators and Medical Assistants, this team works closely with patients, dialysis units, hospitals, and referring providers to ensure seamless communication, efficient scheduling, and compassionate clinical support.
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From coordinating appointments and procedures to assisting providers with patient care and follow-up needs, the team is dedicated to creating a smooth and supportive experience for every patient. Their commitment to responsiveness, organization, and personalized care helps ensure patients receive timely treatment and exceptional service at every visit.
Revenue Cycle
Our Revenue Cycle Team is dedicated to ensuring the financial side of patient care is handled accurately, efficiently, and with compassion. Working closely with patients, insurance providers, dialysis units, and referring offices, the team manages insurance verification, authorizations, claims processing, and account support to help streamline the care experience.
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Understanding that medical billing and insurance can often be complex, our team is committed to providing clear communication, timely assistance, and reliable support throughout the process. Their attention to detail and patient-focused approach helps ensure patients and partners can focus on what matters most—quality care and positive outcomes.
MARKETING
Our Marketing Liaisons are dedicated to building strong relationships with the communities, providers, dialysis units, and healthcare partners we serve. Through education, outreach, and communication, they help connect patients and referring providers with the specialized vascular and dialysis access care available at our practice.
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Focused on professionalism, responsiveness, and meaningful partnerships, the team works to ensure accurate information, timely support, and a seamless referral experience. Their commitment to community engagement and patient-centered communication helps strengthen collaboration and expand access to quality care.
RESEARCH
Our Research Team is committed to advancing vascular and dialysis access care through innovation, clinical excellence, and evidence-based medicine. By participating in ongoing studies, evaluating new technologies, and supporting quality improvement initiatives, the team helps drive progress in patient care and treatment outcomes.
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Working closely with providers, patients, and healthcare partners, the team is dedicated to expanding knowledge and identifying new approaches that improve safety, efficiency, and long-term success in vascular care. Their passion for discovery and continuous improvement reflects our commitment to delivering leading-edge care to every patient we serve.
