Dr. Patricia K. DeForest is an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Complex and Palliative Medicine for the University of Texas Health San Antonio. She also serves as a Pediatric and Perinatal Palliative Medicine Physician at University Health and is one of three Pediatric Medical Directors for VITAS Hospice. She is a graduate of Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia. She returned to Texas to complete her Pediatrics residency (2015-2018) and Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellowship (2019) at UT Health San Antonio. Prior to pursuing medicine, Dr. DeForest had 20 years of experience in education as both a classroom teacher and a professional educator of adult learning. Dr. DeForest and her husband are Texas natives from deep in South Texas. They have 3 adult children, 2 grandchildren, and 2 labrador pups.