Celia Flores, MPAS, PA-C

Celia Flores, PA-C is a Clinical Lead III and Surgical Hospitalist at West Campus with extensive experience in pediatric surgical care and advanced practice provider (APP) leadership. She currently oversees more than 25 inpatient and operating room APPs across over seven surgical subspecialties, providing comprehensive operational and clinical leadership.

Celia joined Texas Children’s Hospital in 2015 as a Physician Assistant in Pediatric General Surgery, where she provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care for complex surgical patients. From 2019 to 2022, she served as Clinical Lead II for Pediatric General Surgery, Trauma/SICU and Transplant at Texas Children’s Hospital Medical Center, managing more than 15 APPs across inpatient and community hospital settings.

Throughout her career, Celia has been deeply engaged in quality improvement, education, research and program development. She has served as APP Mentorship Committee Lead and APP Quality and Research Champion, led the launch and expansion of the Chest Wall Deformity Clinic and co-led post-operative telemedicine initiatives. She also served as Project Co-Lead for the Gastrostomy Outcomes Improvement initiative through the Evidence-Based Outcomes Center.

In addition, Celia has contributed to research initiatives, presented at international surgical conferences and authored peer-reviewed publications.

Personal Statement

My career is rooted in providing excellent pediatric surgical care, advanced provider leadership and the continuous improvement of patient outcomes.

In parallel with my clinical and leadership responsibilities, I value academic contribution and innovation, recognizing that advancing knowledge is fundamental to advancing patient care. I believe strong health care leadership requires a balance of operational stewardship, clinical presence, mentorship and advocacy — always with the patient as the central focus of every decision.

Education

Organizations

Honors and awards

2026

Acute Care Partner in Care, Texas Children's West Campus

2025

Physician Assistant of the Year, Texas Children's Hospital

2024

Advanced Practice Provider Leader of the Year, Texas Children's Hospital Department of Surgery 

2017

Advanced Practice Provider of the Quarter, Texas Children's Hospital Department of Surgery

* Texas Children’s Hospital physicians’ licenses and credentials are reviewed prior to practicing at any of our facilities. Sections titled From the Doctor, Professional Organizations and Publications were provided by the physician’s office and were not verified by Texas Children’s Hospital.

Guerra ME, Hickner BT, Flores CD, et al. Risk of missed diagnoses when choosing non-operative management of pediatric uncomplicated appendicitis. Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 2026;61(1):162543.doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2025.162543

Flores CD, Yu YR, Miloh TA, Goss J, Brandt ML. Surgical outcomes in Alagille syndrome and PFIC: A single institution's 20-year experience. Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 2018;53(5):976-979. doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2018.02.026