Irving David Prengler, MD, Mba: A Conversation with the Editor

Abstract

Irving Prengler (Figure ​(Figure11) is vice president of medical staff affairs for Baylor University Medical Center (BUMC) and medical director for care coordination for Baylor Health Care System (BHCS). He was born at Baylor Hospital on April 25, 1954, and grew up in Ferris, Texas, and after age 7 in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from The University of Texas in Austin in 1976 and from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 1980. He trained in internal medicine at BUMC from 1980 to 1983. Thereafter, he went into the private practice of internal medicine and was an attending physician at BUMC. In 1993, after 10 years in private practice, he became the medical director of Texas Primary Care and served in that position until 2005, when he accepted his current positions. He has been a major force in developing the hospitalist program at BUMC and served as its chief medical officer from 1999 until 2005. Irving Prengler has taken an active role in BUMC activities since he started his internship here in 1980. He is a good man in every way, and it was a pleasure talking to him about his personal and professional life.