Manuel J. Martin, MD
Family Medicine
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About Manuel J. Martin, MD
My core beliefs as a physician revolve around the patient-doctor relationship. First, I believe a good patient-doctor relationship should be founded on trust—a trust that is mutual and earned. Second, I believe that intentionality is a more personalized route as a patient pursues good health: I feel it’s a process a patient and doctor can work on together. And third, there is no one-size-fits-all approach as patients work to achieve good health.
As an MDVIP-affiliated physician, I have more time to listen to your health goals and to work with you to develop a strategy for you to follow to achieve them. Each patient is unique and brings distinctive life habits, pressures and rewards of work and family, genetic background, and stage-of-life challenges. My MDVIP-affiliated primary care practice is focused on you and how we can work in tandem as you pursue making a healthier future for yourself. My practice offers services, including comprehensive, advanced health screenings and diagnostic tests, that go far beyond those found in concierge medicine practices. I also offer same- or next-day appointments.
I have more than 35 years of clinical experience in both primary care and emergency medicine. My interest and experience in all aspects of medicine—from children to geriatrics—covers numerous facets of primary care, and I pride myself on caring for patients with the aim of minimizing referrals to specialists. I also strive to minimize labs or imaging tests, when possible.
I am passionate about teaching and am committed to helping prepare and train doctors for our community. I believe doing so can benefit not only the students I support at UTMB Galveston and UT Dell, but also my patients and me, because I can stay current on diagnostic and clinical approaches.
In my MDVIP-affiliated practice, I offer many services, including dermatology , and gynecologic and more. In addition, I have a special interest in diabetes care, cardiovascular disease and psychiatry. The preventive tools and resources I offer through my affiliation with MDVIP can help you stay on top of your health and can be supportive in helping you as you work to attain and remain in good health.
As a long-standing practitioner in this community, I have relationships in the medical community so I can refer patients to specialists when the need arises.
I grew up in Spain and the United States and am fluent in Spanish. Our clinic staff is also bilingual in Spanish. I am affiliated with Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin, St. David’s Medical Center, and UT Health Austin.
Austin, TX
Family Medicine 1989-1991
Austin, TX
1988-1989
Dallas, TX
Doctorate of Medicine 1988
Graduated with Honors
Austin, TX
Bachelor of Science/Arts
Morris Hospital
Weinberg Award, Outstanding Residency Educator, Central Texas Medical Foundation
Distinguished Educator, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston
Outstanding Undergraduate Medical Educator, University of Texas Deli School of Medicine
Benefits of joining Dr. Martin's practice with MDVIP
MDVIP Annual Membership Fee
The office of Manuel J. Martin, MD
| Mon | Closed |
| Tue | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Wed | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Thu | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Fri | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Sat | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Sun | Closed |
Reviews from the web
I had told him multiple times about autoimmune symptoms I’d had, and how I felt exhausted all the time. Instead of testing me for this autoimmune disease that I showed many signs of, they gave me antibiotics for a “sinus infection” for a whole year and acted as if there was nothing else they could do. Those antibiotics completely wrecked my guts, and I took them for 10 months out of a year.
It really would’ve been nice to catch this disease a couple years earlier, when I could’ve really prevented the shape I’m in now. When I finally thought to ask to see an immunologist, he took one look at me, saw the malar rash and the other obvious symptoms, and tested me for lupus. My ANA levels were off the charts, above the 1:1280 titer.
Dr. Martin was very dismissive of my high blood pressure. Other doctors who I saw during and after were rather horrified when seeing my readings and hearing that my primary care doctor said I didn’t need treatment. He also told me I had a heart condition that an echo cardio gram said I didn’t have.
I’m now on the cardiac floor of ascension seton with blood pressure high enough to warrant a transfer from another free standing ER, and with platelets tanking because lupus is attacking my bone marrow.
I’m 25 and feel a good deal of my youth has been stollen. I should’ve looked harder into what was wrong with me and not have been so trusting. He wrote me off so many times because I was very anxious about my condition, and I can understand how that made it difficult to take me seriously. Still, I’m in a very bad position, and I regret not finding another doctor sooner.
We often went to appointments together. As I was in my early 50s, my wife asked him about me getting a full physical. He stated that men don’t need physicals like women do. She responded, “Well, they have body parts too.”
We went to the front desk that day and scheduled a full physical with bloodwork in early 2018.
Dr. Martin later called me and said my PSA was high. He asked if I had symptoms like trouble urinating or blood in my urine—I had none. He decided to put me on antibiotics and repeat the PSA test afterward.
My levels came back even higher.
At that point, I was referred for a biopsy. The results were shocking—I had aggressive prostate cancer.
My wife and I were in complete shock. I had no symptoms, no family history, and nothing showed on a manual exam.
We were then told I needed a radical prostatectomy.
We had what I would call preventive-only insurance—nothing that covered serious care. We found a highly recommended urologist in San Antonio who offered a cash package. Friends held a benefit, and a GoFundMe was started to help cover costs. My wife also withdrew money from her IRA.
Thank God for good friends.
The urologist warned us the cancer may have already spread beyond the capsule—and unfortunately, it had.
Follow-up bloodwork showed my PSA was still detectable and rising.
I then had to get a Lupron shot, which removes testosterone. The shot cost $4,500, and with Dr. Kellas’ help, we were able to get assistance from the manufacturer. After that, I still had to go through 39 radiation treatments.
Now, 8 years later, my PSA is rising again, and I am undergoing androgen hormone therapy, which again removes testosterone. We now have insurance, but even with coverage, the out-of-pocket cost for this medication is still very expensive. It is also taking a physical toll on me.
Despite everything that happened, I continued to see Dr. Martin. That was my way of moving forward and extending grace, understanding that doctors are human and mistakes can happen.
However, during COVID, Dr. Martin sent a notice stating that if a patient chose not to receive the vaccine, he would no longer see them. That moment changed my perspective. It no longer felt like a partnership in care, but more like a one-sided decision where questioning was not welcome.
The reason I am writing this is because a simple blood test years earlier could have caught this sooner and possibly prevented all of this, or at least allowed for less invasive treatment.
I do not want any other patients to go through this.
I also feel that because of my insurance situation, my care may have been approached differently. Even without full coverage at the time, we still came up with $25,000 for surgery.
Every patient should be treated equally, heard, and given the opportunity to make informed decisions about their health.
MEN — request a simple PSA test. Do not assume your doctor has you covered when ordering bloodwork. There are many stories like mine. Take care of yourself.
He is an outstanding diagnostician, dedicated to
providing excellent care and is very approachable.
He takes time with his patients to completely understand their concerns and will fully explain what steps he will take and what steps the patient needs to take to help improve overall health. He actually cares about his patients and what's going on in their lives. He's not only my doctor, I consider him a friend.
The staff that followed him to his new practice
are exceptional and are well versed in patient care. I know all of the team members and they make you feel comfortable and are the best at what they do. Together with Dr Martin the practice runs like a well oiled machine.
The new location is easy to find with ample parking. The office is inviting and the atmosphere is friendly while still being professional.
I'm happy to be a patient of Medical Arts Family Practice and highly recommend Dr Martin and staff for all your healthcare needs.
He will actually listen to the words coming out of your mouth and talk to you in terms you can understand without all of the medical jargon. But most importantly, he cares.
Thank you Dr. Martin for being you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Doctors who operate in the MDVIP models typically see far fewer patients than traditional primary care doctors. That gives them more time to develop deeper doctor-patient relationships that can lead to better outcomes. They can also offer conveniences that most primary care doctors can’t, including same- and next-day appointments. They’re available after hours for urgent matters. And they have time to focus on prevention. That focus begins with the MDVIP Wellness Program, which patients pay for with their annual membership fee.
Most MDVIP-affiliated primary care practices accept insurance (your physician can tell you whether they accept your specific insurance plan). Your annual fee pays for preventive care medical services that insurance usually doesn’t cover (e.g., advanced diagnostic testing and screenings). Your MDVIP-affiliated physician will continue to bill your insurance and charge copays, co-insurances and deductibles as he or she currently does for other medical services like sick visits.
MDVIP makes wellness and prevention easier by providing your physician with innovative tools and technology. MDVIP supports your physician’s practice and seeks to eliminate barriers to a positive healthcare experience. Your doctor will determine whether and how to incorporate these tools at his/her discretion.
**The message above is a personal introduction from the physician, intended to help you get to know them better. The views, opinions, and statements expressed above are solely those of the physician and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of MDVIP. This content is intended for general background purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any mentions of expertise or quality of care are personal expressions and should not be interpreted as guarantees of performance or outcomes.