Since
1985, Dr. Shelley Sekula Gibbs has devoted her professional life
to helping people feel and look their best. A fifth generation Texan
and a board certified dermatologist, she runs a successful practice
in the Clear Lake area, where she strives to offer her patients the latest,
most effective, and safest treatments for a variety of medical and
cosmetic skin problems.
Dr. Sekula Gibbs has been featured in national publications such as Vogue, Allure, Prevention, Good Housekeeping, Shop, Real Simple, Ladies' Home Journal, Family Circle, Redbook and Oprah, and has been interviewed on news programs, including 20/20, Primetime Live, and ABC's Good Morning America. A pioneer in the use of botulinum toxin (Botox), Dr.
Sekula Gibbs was one of the first Houston dermatologists to offer
Botox. She honed her skills after studying with physicians in
London and Vancouver. She has been recognized nationally for her
work on skin cancer prevention and improving the standards in
tanning and nail salons
After receiving her medical degree from the University of Texas
Medical Branch at Galveston, Dr. Sekula Gibbs completed residencies
in family practice and dermatology at the University of Florida
and the Baylor College of Medicine, respectively. She is a clinical assistant professor
at Baylor College of Medicine and at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. She volunteers her care at the Ben
Taub Hospital. Dr. Sekula Gibbs is a diplomate of the American
Board of Dermatology, a member of the Board of Directors of
the American
Society for Mohs Surgery (a specialized way to remove skin
cancer), a member of the American
College of Phlebology (treatment of vein disease), the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and a fellow
of the American Academy
of Dermatology.
Coming from modest beginnings, Shelley believes each of us has
a responsibility to make our communities stronger. She serves as treasurer of the Friends of the Texas Medical Center Library. Dr. Sekula
Gibbs is past president of the Texas
Dermatological Society and the Houston Dermatological Society.
She served as chairman of the Gateway to Care Community Health
Center Committee and is founder and vice-president of the Healthy Houston Foundation.
She has volunteered countless hours, serving as a board member on the Bay Area Transportation Partnerhsip working to improve mobility and reduce traffic congestion, helping to initiate a rape
crisis program while in medical school, lasering tattoos off young
gang members through the D-Tag program, and providing Boy Scout
physicals through the Harris County Medical
Society.
Dr. Sekula Gibbs went on to serve her community by becoming the
first medical doctor to serve on the Houston City Council. Dr.
Sekula Gibbs made “Healthy
Houston” the cornerstone of her efforts to bring better
access to health care to all Houstonians. Uninsured persons often
get sicker and receive medical care in crowded ERs driving up
the cost of health care for everyone, costing taxpayer dollars
and increasing health insurance premiums. Dr. Sekula Gibbs oversaw
an increase in the number of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) from one to eleven. These non-profit clinics provide low-cost
first class health care on a sliding scale basis. They help take
pressure off crowded ERs, curb the rising costs of health insurance,
and reduce the need to raise property taxes for public health
hospitals. Dr. Sekula Gibbs was also instrumental in passing a
smoking ban in Houston, and in rolling back property taxes three
times.
On November 7, 2006, Dr. Sekula Gibbs became the first female
physician ever to be elected to the U.S.
House of Representatives in a special election to serve out
the final months of the 109th Congress. During her brief term
in Congress, Dr. Sekula Gibbs had a perfect attendance record
where she helped block a deep cut in Medicare; helped open up
8 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico for oil and gas exploration;
helped fund home care alternatives to nursing homes for seniors;
approved funding for the National Institute of Health and for
autism research and treatment.
Dr. Sekula Gibbs and her husband Robert Gibbs have grown children
and grandchildren. They are pleased to be scholarship sponsors of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and contributors to numerous charities. They attend St. Clare Catholic Church in Clear Lake.
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