Neal R. Barshes

Neal R. Barshes, M.D., M.P.H.

Professor of Surgery

(713) 794-7892

Positions

Professor of Surgery: Division of Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy
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Chief, Vascular Surgery Section: Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

Addresses

Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (Hospital): 2002 Holcombe Boulevard
OCL-112
Houston, TX, 77030
United States

Education

BS from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: 05/1997 - Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, United States; psychology

MD from University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine: 05/2001 - Chicago, Illinois, United States

MPH from University of Texas at Houston Health Science Center: 05/2006 - Houston, Texas, United States; healthcare delivery systems

Residency at Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery / ��: 06/2009 - Houston, Texas, United States; general surgery

Clinical Fellowship at Harvard Medical School / Brigham and Women's Hospital: 06/2011 - Boston, Massachusetts, United States; vascular surgery and endovascular therapy

Certifications

General Surgery: American Board of Surgery

Vascular Surgery: American Board of Surgery

Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation: American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Honors & Awards

Clark Faculty Service Award: ��

Star Award for Excellence in Patient Care: ��

Gene Guinn M.D. Outstanding Teaching Faculty Award for excellence in teaching general surgery residents: Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (07/2014 - 07/2015)

Outstanding Teaching Faculty Award for excellence in teaching medical students: Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (07/2013 - 06/2014)

Outstanding Teaching Faculty Award for excellence in teaching medical students: Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (07/2014 - 06/2015)

Top Doctor: Vascular Surgery: Houstonia Magazine

Faculty Excellence Award for Educational Materials: Norton Rose Fulbright Awards (07/2026)

Professional Interests

Leg bypass operations, including tibial, pedal, and pedal branch targets
Ewing technique for transtibial (below-knee) amputations
Microvascular anastomoses
Aortic aneurysms
Carotid artery operations for stroke prevention
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

Professional Statement

Dr. Neal R. Barshes is a double board-certified vascular surgeon. He diagnoses and treats the full spectrum of peripheral vascular disorders, especially peripheral artery disease (PAD) and critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

Dr. Barshes currently sees patients and operates exclusively at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston, Texas.

As an academic vascular surgeon, Dr. Barshes works to develop cost-effective, resilient and equitable strategies to prevent leg amputations. He has authored more than 150 original, peer-reviewed articles to professional medical journals. He has served on guideline writing committees for the American Heart Association, the Society for Vascular Surgery, and the International Working Group for the Diabetic Foot.

For his clinical efforts, Dr. Barshes was awarded the �� Star Clinician Award “for clinical excel-lence and expertise” and the Clark Service Award for representing “Baylor’s mission, vision and values at the highest level”.

Websites

Selected Publications

Barshes NR, Chambers JD, Cohen J, Belkin M. " " J. Vasc. Surg.. 2012 Oct ; 56 (4) : 1015-1024.e1.
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Barshes NR, Flores E, Belkin M, Kougias P, Armstrong DG, Mills JL Sr. " " J Vasc Surg. 2016 ; 64 : 1682-1690.
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Barshes NR, Sigireddi M, Wrobel JS, Mahankali A, Robbins JM, Kougias P, Armstrong DG. " " Diab Foot Ankle. 2013 Oct ;
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Barshes NR, Menard MT, Nguyen LL, Bafford R, Ozaki CK, Belkin M. " " J. Vasc. Surg.. 2011 May ; 53 (5) : 1251-1259.e1.
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Barshes NR, Ozaki CK, Kougias P, Belkin M. " " J. Vasc. Surg.. 2013 Jun ; 57 (6) : 1466-70.
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Barshes NR, Belkin M. " " J. Am. Coll. Surg.. 2011 Oct ; 213 (4) : 552-66.e5.
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Barshes, NR, Gold B, Garcia A, Bechara CF, Pisimisis G, Kougias P.. " " Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2014 ;
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Barshes NR, Rodriguez-Barradas MC, Bechara CF, Pisimisis G, Young EJ, Kougias P.. " " Surg Infect. 2014 ;
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Barshes NR, Saedi S, Wrobel J, Kougias P, Kundakcioglu OE, Armstrong DG. " " J Diabetes Complications. 2017 ; 31 (4) : 700-707.
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Barshes NR, Mindru C, Ashong C, Rodriguez-Barradas M, Trautner BW. " " Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2016 ; 15 (5) : 303-312.
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Barshes NR, Vavra AK, Miller A, Brunicardi FC, Goss JA, Sweeney JF. " " J. Am. Coll. Surg.. 2004 Nov ; 199 (5) : 792-9.
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Barshes NR, Chambers JD, Cantor SB, Cohen J, Belkin M. " " J. Vasc. Surg.. 2012 Jun ; 55 (6) : 1794-800.
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Choi JC, Miranda J, Greenleaf E, Hansraj N, Conte MS, Gerhard-Herman MD, Mills JL, Barshes NR.. " " Vasc Med. 2023 ; 28 : 45-53..
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Bidare D, Sharath SE, Cerise F, Barshes NR.. " " Semin Vasc Surg. 2023 ; 36 : 49-57..
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Barshes NR, Minc SD. " " J Vasc Surg. 2021 ; 74 ((S2)) : 6S-14S.e1..
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Barshes NR, Bidare D, Kougias P, Mills JL, LeMaire SA.. " " J Vasc Surg. 2022 ; 76 : 141-148..
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Barshes NR, Clark NJ, Bidare D, Dudenhoeffer JH, Mindru C, Rodriguez-Barradas M.. " " Open Forum Infect Dis. 2022 ; 9 : ofac475.
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Minami HR, Greenleaf EK, Nejim BJ, Manikonda SPR, Barshes NR. " " J Vasc Surg. 2025 ; 83 : 699-709.
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Barshes NR, Kougias P, Ozaki CK, Pisimisis G, Bechara CF, Henson HK, Belkin M.. " " Ann Vasc Surg. 2014 Jan ; 28 (1) : 10-17.
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Conte MS, Aulivola B, Barshes NR, Bertges DJ, Corriere MA, Murad MH, Powell RJ, Reed AB, Robinson WP 3rd, Simons JP. " " J Vasc Surg. 2025 ; 82 : 303-326.
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Menard MT, Farber A, Powell RJ, Rosenfield K, Conte MS, Hamza TH, Kaufman JA, Cziraky MJ, Creager MA, Dake MD, Jaff MR, Reid D, Sopko G, White CJ, Strong MB, van Over M, Chisci E, Goodney PP, Gray B; BEST-CLI Investigators.. " " Circulation. 2024 ; 149 : 1241-1253.
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Memberships

American College of Surgeons

Society for Vascular Surgery

American Diabetes Association

Society of Brigham Surgical Alumni

Texas Surgical Society

Funding

Randomized, Multicenter, Controlled Trial to Compare Best Endovascular versus Best Surgical Therapy in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia (BEST-CLI) #ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01229358: (12/01/2014 - 12/01/2022); Grant funding from The National Institutes of Health (NIH); the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI); Prospective, randomized, multicenter trial comparing endovascular therapy (angioplasty with or without stent placement) to leg bypass surgery to improve leg circulation for limb-threatening conditions and avoidance of leg amputations.

Investigation of Rifampin to Reduce Pedal Amputations for Osteomyelitis in Diabetics (VA-INTREPID) #ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03012529: $834,207.00 (08/01/2017 - 06/30/2025); Grant funding from Veterans Health Administration Cooperative Studies Program; Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial comparing a six week course of adjunctive rifampin vs. adjunctive matched placebo added to standard antibacterial therapy for the treatment of diabetic foot osteomyelitis.

Transfusion Trigger after Operation in High Cardiac Risk Patients #ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03229941: $1,370,683.00 (08/01/2017 - 06/30/2025); Grant funding from Veterans Health Administration Cooperative Studies Program; Prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial that compared postoperative outcomes in a restrictive transfusion strategy (Hb < 7 gm/dl) vs. a non-restrictive transfusion strategy (Hb < 10 gm/dl) in Veterans at high cardiac risk who undergo major open vascular and general surgery operations

Randomized Clinical Trial for Ewing Amputation in the VA #; ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT05437562: (06/01/2026); Grant funding from Veterans Health Administration Office of Research and Development, Clinical Science Research & Development; Prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial comparing ambulatory function and mobility in patients undergoing transtibial (below-knee amputation using traditional vs. Ewing surgical technique.

Impact of Colchicine on Peri-Operative Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Prior Coronary Revascularization: The Peri-OPerative COlchicine to Reduce Nega-tive Events (POPCORN) Trial #ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT05618353: (06/01/2025); Grant funding from Veterans Affairs Office of Research and Development; Prospective, randomized, multicenter trial comparing the clinical outcomes (including perioperative major adverse cardiac events) and systemic inflammation associated with colchicine compared to placebo in patients with prior coronary revascularization or high coronary atherosclerotic burden who undergo intermediate- or high-risk non-cardiac surgery.

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