Dr. Poyan Rafiei, MD
Houston’s Top Interventional Radiologist
Meet Dr. Poyan Rafiei, MD
Dr. Poyan Rafiei is a double board-certified interventional and diagnostic radiologist who brings both advanced training and a deeply patient-centered approach to every case. Dr. Rafiei was born in Baton Rouge, LA, and raised in Houston, TX, from early childhood. He was a top 10 graduating high school student prior to entering the Undergraduate to Medical School Initiative (UMSI) program at Texas Tech University’s Honors College.
By waiving the MCAT requirement and granting early admission into medical school, UMSI allowed Dr. Rafiei earned his Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Medical Doctorate degree in seven years, where he graduated amongst the top of his class. While in medical school, Dr. Rafiei met his wonderful wife, Dr. Christina Rafiei, and both went on to the University of Mississippi for their residency training together.
A graduate of the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology and former Director of Interventional Radiology at UTMB, Dr. Rafiei combines academic-level skill with the kind of compassionate care that helps patients feel informed, safe, and supported at every step. From treating chronic knee pain to helping patients manage fibroids or prostate issues without major surgery, he takes time to understand each person’s needs and explain every option clearly.
Dr. Rafiei’s Areas of Expertise
Over the course of his career, Dr. Rafiei has personally performed more than 10,000 image-guided procedures, providing patients with effective, non-surgical treatment options for some of the most common and life-disrupting health concerns.
Education & Training
- Bachelor of Business Administration & Undergraduate to Medical School Initiative Program – Texas Tech University Honors College
- Doctor of Medicine – Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Transitional Year Internship – Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Diagnostic Radiology Residency – University of Mississippi
- Vascular and Interventional Radiology Fellowship – Washington University School of Medicine
Medical Licenses & Board Certifications
- American Board of Radiology – Interventional Radiology/Diagnostic Radiology
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
- Basic Life Support
Experience
- Director of Vascular and Interventional Radiology – University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)
- Faculty for UTMB Radiology Research Elective course
- Facilitator for UTMB Gross Anatomy and Radiology 1st year medical school course
Memberships & Continuing Education
Awards & Recognitions
- Top quartile medical school graduate
- Summa cum laude in undergraduate studies
- Mortar Board Honor Society
- Golden Key International Honor Society
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Community Service Award
- Top 10 graduating high school student (class rank 4/864)
Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications
- Tam AL, Heran MKS, Sangha BS, Rafiei P, Ramalingam V, Censullo ML, Aryafar H, Iqbal S. Society of Interventional Radiology Standards Division 2019 Document Review. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology 2020; 31(2):282-283. PMID: 31839446.
- Rafiei P, Walser EM, Silberzweig JE, Nikolic B. Checklists for image-guided interventions. American Journal of Roentgenology 2016; 19:W1-W5. PMID: 27440526.
- Rafiei P, Walser EM, Duncan J, Rana H, Ross JR, Kerlan RK Jr., Gross KA, Balter S, Bartal G, Abi-Jaoudeh N, Stecker MS, Cohen AM, Dixon RG, Thornton RH, Nikolic B. Society of Interventional Radiology IR pre-procedure patient safety checklist by the Safety and Health Committee. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology 2016; 27(5):695-699. PMID: 27038685.
- Reeves PT and Rafiei P. Anomalous iliac vein development: a case report and literature review. Medical Imaging & Interventional Radiology 2016; 2:1204-1208.
- Rafiei P, Kim SK, Kamran M, and Saad NE. Retrospective study in 40 patients of utility of C-arm FDCT as an adjunctive modality in technically challenging image-guided percutaneous drainage procedures. Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology 2015; 38(6):1589-1594. PMID: 25832763.
- Azubuike MC, Mikus JR, and Rafiei P. Geniculate artery embolization for recurrent postarthroplasty hemarthrosis of the knee. Radiology Case Reports. (Online) 2015; 10(2):1105-1108. PMID: 27398122.
- Rafiei P, Sebastian S, Patel RB, Roda MS. Ectopic intracaval liver. Clinical Imaging 2012; 36(6):869-872.PMID: 23154027.
- Rafiei P, Roda MS, Patel RB. Isolated unilateral absence of the right pulmonary artery. Southern Medical Journal 2011; 104(4):276-277. PMID: 21606697.
- Rafiei P and Vijayakumar V. Be aware of disseminated sarcoidosis with diffuse subcutaneous nodules on F-18 FDG PET. Clinical Nuclear Medicine 2011; 36(6):42-44. PMID: 21552015.
- Rafiei P, Souza F, Vijayakumar V. Sarcoidosis mimicking metastatic carcinoid on Indium 111pentetreotide scintigraphy. Radiology Case Reports. (Online) 2011; 6(1):483-486. PMID: 27307891.
- Gill JB, Jensen L, Chin PC, Rafiei P, Reddy K, Schutt, Jr. RC. Intertrochanteric hip fractures treated with the trochanteric fixation nail and sliding hip screw. Journal of Surgical Orthopedic Advances 2007; 16(2):62-66. PMID: 17592712.
Scientific Presentations and Exhibits
- Hernandez J and Rafiei P. Utility of diagnostic radiology imaging techniques in the diagnosis and characterization of a saccular aneurysm involving the right internal jugular vein: A case report and brief review of literature. Poster presented at the 2024 Gulf Coast Division GME Research Symposium.
- Eldaya R, Chow A, Ross J, Ditzler M, Eissa O, Divito D, and Rafiei P. The emergent aorta: Multi-modality imaging review in an emergent setting for emergency department clinicians and junior radiology residents, “Cannot Miss Lesions.” Electronic exhibit presented at the RSNA 101st Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting from Nov 29-Dec 4, 2015 in Chicago, IL.
- Rafiei P, Mudassar K, Kim SK, and Saad N. Utility of C-arm FDCT in technically challenging image-guided percutaneous drainage procedures. Electronic presentation presented at the SIR 39th Annual Scientific Meeting on March 26, 2014 in San Diego, CA.
- Rafiei P and Vijayakumar V. Neuroendocrine tumor spectrum: A molecular imaging perspective by location. Electronic exhibit presented at the RSNA 97th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting from Nov 27-Dec 2, 2011 in Chicago, IL.
- Vijayakumar V, Rafiei P, and Vijayakumar S. Lessons learned from the explosion of nuclear reactors in Japan. Are we ready for a similar disaster? Electronic exhibit presented at the RSNA 97th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting from Nov 27-Dec 2, 2011 in Chicago, IL.
- Rafiei P. Molecular imaging: A literature review of the current concepts in medical imaging. Poster presented at the Southwest Assoc of Hispanic American Physicians (SWAHAP) 29th Annual Meeting from Nov 14-15, 2008 in El Paso, TX
Personal Life
Dr. Rafiei is a proud husband and father of four children. When not busy at work, he enjoys spending time with his family, exercising, and playing basketball and chess.
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