Rate My Professor Cristel Escalona

Dr. Cristel Escalona is a board-certified pediatrician specializing in pediatrics within the field of medicine at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine. She serves as Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Student Wellness, overseeing health services for students. Previously, she held the position of Division Chief of Pediatrics from 2019 to 2023. As a clinician at UT Health RGV in Edinburg, Texas, she practices pediatric and adolescent medicine, functioning as a hospitalist with affiliations including Valley Baptist Medical Center and South Texas Health System. Dr. Escalona earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Texas Pan American between 1995 and 2000. She received her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine in 2004, followed by a residency in Pediatrics at University of Texas Medical Branch Hospitals from 2004 to 2007. She maintains Texas state medical licensure active through 2026 and holds certifications from the American Board of Pediatrics in both Pediatrics and Pediatric Hospital Medicine. A Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP), she contributes to faculty leadership in programs such as RealMD and the UTRGV Centering Parenting Clinic.

Throughout her over 20-year career, Dr. Escalona has been instrumental in medical education and community health outreach. She participates in UTRGV pipeline programs supporting underrepresented students in health professions and provides expert guidance on pediatric health topics, including back-to-school preparations, heat safety for children, fireworks safety, safe toys and gifts, and COVID-19 vaccinations for children. Her leadership extends to involvement with the Texas Medical Association's Committee on Physician Health and Wellness. Dr. Escalona has received notable awards, including the Arild E. Hansen Award for Outstanding Research in 2007, United Latin American Medical Student Association Special Recognition in 2002, and the Practice of Medicine Department Outstanding Ethical Case Presentation from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2001. These accomplishments highlight her dedication to pediatric care, education, and wellness in the Rio Grande Valley region.