Dr. Jose M. Ortega was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, shortly after his parents and brother emigrated from Cuba in 1961.  He is a 1983 graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso where he received a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors.  He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1987 from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston where he also completed his residency in 1995.  He was board certified by the American Board of Surgery in 1996, and recertified in 2006.  He was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in 1998.  Dr. Ortega also belongs to the South Texas Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, the Harris County Medical Society and the Texas Medical Association.  He has practiced in the northeast Houston area since 1995 and has served in many leadership roles including Chief of Staff (2008) and Chief of Surgery (2000) at Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital.  Dr. Ortega is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Dr. Ortega specializes in general surgery with an emphasis on advanced laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgical procedures.  His training and extensive experience allows him to perform laparoscopic surgery of the esophagus (anti-reflux, hiatal hernia repairs), colon (diverticulitis, colon cancer, and polyps), stomach, small bowel, gallbladder and appendix.  Dr. Ortega also does laparoscopic repairs of all types of hernias (abdominal and groin). 

Of special interest to Dr. Ortega is the treatment of breast cancer.  He works closely with the medical and radiation oncologists as well as plastic surgeons to ensure that breast cancer patients receive the most current, comprehensive and compassionate care available.  He has recently been appointed as the Physician Liaison for Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital to the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. 

Another focus of his practice is the surgical management of morbid obesity.  Dr. Ortega is currently the medical director of the bariatric surgery program at Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital where he performs the laparoscopic placement of the adjustable gastric band (Lap-Band).