Profile I: Dr. Brian Kaufman, A Visionary in Pediatric Orthopedics
Dr. Brian Kaufman’s path to pediatric orthopedics was shaped by a lifelong passion for hands-on problem-solving. Growing up, he watched his father, a mechanical engineer, repair everything around the house, eliminating the need for outside help. This environment nurtured his natural inclination to work with his hands, which later translated into medicine. Surgery combined his love for precision with the ability to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. However, what truly drew him to pediatric orthopedics was the opportunity to build long-term relationships with his patients—following them from infancy through adolescence and ensuring consistent, high-quality care.
Beyond surgical skills, Dr. Kaufman values the human side of medicine. While some believe that working with parents can be challenging, he sees it differently. He finds parents among the easiest people to work with because they share a single, unwavering goal: the best possible care for their child. “If you help their child, they will like you,” he says. The joy of working with kids also adds a unique energy to his practice, as children often bring humor and resilience to even the most difficult situations. It’s not often that an adult patient says, “I like your hair” or “I like your shoes,” but in the pediatric world, it’s a common occurrence. However, the field also comes with emotional weight—treating children with severe or terminal conditions requires deep empathy and mental fortitude.
Looking ahead, Dr. Kaufman sees technology shaping the future of pediatric orthopedics. Imaging is undergoing a major shift away from radiation-based methods, particularly in spine surgery. Emerging MRI technology may soon replace CT scans, significantly reducing radiation exposure for young patients. Robotics and navigation systems are also advancing surgical precision, making procedures more reproducible and improving patient outcomes—though he emphasizes that these innovations will always require skilled surgeons at the helm.
Despite these advancements, challenges persist, particularly within the healthcare system. One of the most frustrating aspects of his work is dealing with insurance complexities. The approval process for elective surgeries is often slow and inefficient, with insurers denying payments even after pre-approvals. This leads to delayed reimbursements for providers and unexpected medical bills for families—sometimes arriving as long as a year after surgery. Dr. Kaufman believes that increasing transparency and accountability in insurance policies is crucial to streamlining care and reducing unnecessary burdens on both providers and patients.
His commitment to innovation extends beyond surgical advancements to research aimed at optimizing patient care. One of his current projects focuses on minor knee fractures, such as buckle fractures in the shin bone, where his research team has explored the effectiveness of braces as an alternative to traditional long-leg casts. Their findings suggest that braces can achieve equally successful outcomes while reducing costs and logistical burdens on families. Additionally, he is involved in clinical trials on pain management in spinal surgery, where his research has shown that steroid use can significantly decrease the need for narcotics post-surgery, leading to safer and more effective recovery protocols. His work also extends to health equity, investigating how social determinants such as zip code and insurance status impact scoliosis treatment and overall patient outcomes. Overall, his clinic, Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedics, has several research projects in the work that hope to revolutionize the future of pediatric orthopedic care.
However, providing specialized pediatric orthopedic care in Central Texas comes with its own set of challenges. Dr. Kaufman and his colleagues at Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedics serve 54 counties, with some families traveling across Texas for treatment. Unlike the East Coast, where specialists are more concentrated, Texas families often face significant logistical barriers to accessing care. Expanding resources and improving accessibility for underserved communities remain among his primary goals, ensuring that every child receives the treatment they need, regardless of where they live.
Despite the demands of his profession, Dr. Kaufman prioritizes work-life balance. He views his job as a calling rather than just a career, fully immersing himself in his role while making time for personal fulfillment. Whether fishing, cooking, or spending time with his family, he understands the importance of stepping away and recharging. By structuring his time efficiently, he remains highly productive without allowing work to consume his personal life.
Dr. Kaufman’s credentials reflect his deep commitment to pediatric orthopedics. He earned a B.A. in Biology from The George Washington University, where he also completed medical school and residency, before further honing his expertise through a fellowship at A.I. Dupont Hospital for Children. He currently serves as a Clinical Instructor at Dell Medical School and Vice Medical Director of Orthopedic Surgery at Dell Children’s Medical Center, shaping the future of pediatric orthopedic care through both practice and education.
His contributions extend beyond the operating room. As a member of prestigious organizations such as the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), and the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA), he remains at the forefront of medical advancements and policy discussions. His excellence in clinical teaching has also earned him recognition, including the Dell Medical School Clinical Teaching Award.
Whether pioneering surgical techniques, advocating for healthcare accessibility, or mentoring the next generation of physicians, Dr. Kaufman is shaping the future of pediatric orthopedics. His unwavering commitment to innovation and patient care ensures that his impact will be felt for generations to come.