210-60-SINUS

  • Meet Our Team

Dr. Jim Atkins, MD

Bio

Like most of the staff at Atkins Expert Sinus Care, I am a native Texan. I grew up in Galveston and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. I went on to get my M.D., my internship in general surgery, and a residency in otolaryngology/head-and-neck surgery at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. I have been board-certified in otolaryngology and in private practice in South Texas since 1991.

I began my practice treating all types of ear, nose, and throat problems. I opened the Atkins Expert Sinus Care in 2000 with a specific goal in mind: to open a clinic that specializes in the sinuses. I realized that so many of my patients needed a more focused and experienced approach to their difficult sinus problems. I am very fortunate to have partnered with many of the companies that develop and bring to market the most innovative ENT technologies. These collaborations have kept me on the forefront of new technological breakthroughs and I have been the first in the region, the state, and even the country to adopt many new techniques. I am also very active in our various medical society meetings and continuing-education courses, both of which allow me to stay aware of new treatment options that might benefit my patients.

I find great satisfaction in helping patients that have been plagued with sinus problems for years and thought that they would just have to live with their symptoms. I believe I am uniquely qualified in South Texas to offer my patients the most current thinking in the world of rhinology, state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, and the least traumatic surgical options available. If you have sinus problems, I welcome your visit to Atkins Expert Sinus Care.

Recognition

Local

  • Honored as one of Scene in S.A. Magazines top Otolaryngologists for the last nine years.

National

  • Appointed to the Rhinology and Paranasal Sinus committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology in 2009. This committee is composed of sinus specialists who help make policy and advise the American Academy of Otolaryngology on sinus related issues.
  • Consultant for Entellus Medical of Minneapolis, MN. a sinus balloon company bringing new sinus technologies to market.
  • Consultant for Stryker medical on sinus technologies.
  • Planning committee of the Foundation for Innovation, Education, and Research in Otolaryngology. This is a nationwide organization dedicated to promoting and education doctors on leading edge technology.
  • These connections to industry and thought leaders in his field allows Dr. Atkins to stay “plugged-in” to the latest developments and what they can offer his patients.
Memberships:
  • Fellow-American Rhinology Society
  • Fellow-American Academy of Otolaryngology
  • Kendall County Medical Society
  • Texas Medical Association
  • Planning committee for Foundation for Innovation, Education and Research in Otolaryngology
Research

Dr. Atkins is actively involved in research on new technologies for treating sinus problems. These research activities give him an opportunity to offer emerging technologies to his patients before they are released to other sinus surgeons. Most of the research is focused on ways to improve balloon sinus surgery.

Recent research and firsts:

  • First use of FinESS, a balloon sinus surgery technique.
  • First use of Xpress, a device for doing balloon sinus surgery.
  • First use of a stapler for closing tissue after septoplasty.
  • First use of MediENT to help prevent scarring after sinus surgery.
  • First clinical use of Propel, a drug eluting stent for use after sinus surgery.
  • Pioneered use of needleless anesthesia for office sinuplasty.

Recent medical publications/posters that Dr. Atkins helped author:

  • Case Study: Mechanisms of Action for Balloon Dilation of the Ostiomeatal Unit (OMU) in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis
  • Early BREATHE | Clinical Results from a Novel System to Treat the Ethmoidal Infundibulum
  • The use of bioresorbable staples for mucoperichondrial flap coaptation in septoplasty
  • Trans-Antral Balloon Dilation Under Local Anesthesia
  • Transantral, endoscopically guided balloon dilatation of the ostiomeatal complex for chronic rhinosinusitis under local…
  • One year results: Transantral balloon dilation of the ethmoid infundibulum
  • Two-year results: Transantral balloon dilation of the ethmoid infundibulum.
  • First clinic experience: patient selection and outcomes for ostial dilation for chronic rhinosinusitis.
  • Impact of chronic rhinosinusitis on work productivity through one-year follow-up after balloon dilation of the ethmoid infundibulum
  • In-office stand alone balloon dilation of the ethmoid infundibulum….
  • Patient Comfort During Balloon Dilation Procedures in the Office
  • Safety and outcomes following hybrid balloon and balloon-only procedures using a multifunction, multisinus balloon dilation tool.

Lori Rollwitz, P.A.-C., M.P.A.S.

My name is Lori Rollwitz. I was born and raised in San Antonio, a city I love calling home. I spent nine years working in my family’s business before I followed my true calling, which is to practice medicine. I graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center in 2007 with a Masters Degree in Physician Assistant Studies.

Early in my education, I developed an interest in ENT after realizing how profoundly sinusitis impacts quality of life. I focused all of my clinical elective time in Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, in order to learn the newest techniques and treatments. My passion for ENT and desire to treat patients with the best technology available was a natural fit for Atkins Expert Sinus Care.

I’ve been married for 14 years and have two wonderful children. When I’m not running around with my kids, I relax by cooking and reading.

Memberships/Affiliations:

• American Academy of Physician Assistants
• Society of Physician Assistants in Otorhinolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery
• Adjunct Faculty University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio

Michael Ferris, P.A.-C

My name is J. Michael Ferris. I am a native Texan, born in Corpus Christi and raised in Bandera. Soon after high school I became a paramedic, but wanted to further my education in medicine, so I continued to go to school. I got my nursing degree from the San Antonio College in 1999, after which I became an emergency room and intensive care unit nurse. In 2007, I graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio with my masters degree in Physician Assistant studies.

Ever since I can remember, I always knew that I would pursue a career in medicine. I chose the specialty of ENT/allergy because I too have suffered for many years with my own sinus and allergy issues. It has always been a field of medicine that interested me.

My favorite quote is by Gandhi, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” This quote best describes my philosophy on life and the care I hope to provide in our practice.

Johnson & Johnson: Training the Future Sinus Experts

Atkins Expert Sinus Care is proud to partner with Johnson & Johnson Institute in aiding health care professionals to further their medical knowledge and skills. In 2006, Dr. Atkins was one of the first doctors in the country trained on the balloon sinuplasty procedure. Since then he’s gone on to consult with sinus balloon manufacturers, determine the safety and efficiency of doing the procedure in an office setting, and author over 7 medical journal articles about balloon sinuplasty.

After working with insurance companies to get balloon sinuplasty approved for office use in 2009, he began traveling around the country to teach doctors how to effectively perform the procedure. Now doctors come visit Atkins Expert Sinus Care to observe his innovative techniques.