Houston

River Oaks

MD2 Houston
MD2 Houston

At MD2 Houston, you'll be cared for by two physicians who have earned superlative reputations in their medical community for their uncompromising commitment to delivering patient-centered care. They bring tremendous thought-leadership in the fields of internal medicine and cardiology and have long-standing ties to the top medical institutions in Houston.

Professional photograph of Dr. Karen Baerenstecher

Dr. Karen Baerenstecher

Dr. Karen Baerenstecher, a native Houstonian and board-certified internist, is beloved by those she devotedly serves for her empathic, thoughtful approach to patient care. Her unwavering focus on quality longevity through preventative medicine and individualized, patient-centered care has earned her a superlative reputation in the Houston medical community.

After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M in biology, she went on to earn her Doctorate of Medicine from University of Texas Medical School at Houston, where she graduated with multiple honors and merits. Dr. Baerenstecher completed her residency in internal medicine at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, after which she joined the staff as a Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine.

Following her residency, she also accepted a position as an internal medicine specialist at Medical Clinic of Houston. She held this position for a number of years before transitioning into a solo private practice in 2005. After a decade in solo practice, Dr. Baerenstecher joined L. Ehrlich and Associates, where she remained until partnering with Dr. Condara to open MD2 Houston.

In addition to her direct patient care responsibilities, she has served in numerous capacities in the medical community. She is a member of the Texas Medical Association, Harris County Medical Association and Memorial Women’s Journal Club, among others. Dr. Baerenstecher is affiliated with Houston Methodist Hospital and Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston.

Professional photograph of Dr. Hal Condara

Dr. Hal Condara

Dr. Condara is renowned as one of the foremost cardiologists in the country and has earned an exceptional reputation in the Houston medical community. Throughout his career, he has received multiple awards and accolades, including being listed in Texas Top Doctors multiple times. As a physician, he strives to care for his patients as he would care for his own family, and he is perhaps best known for his preventative and future-thinking approach to medicine.

He earned his Doctorate of Medicine and completed his residency at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in Houston. Dr. Condara completed his cardiology fellowship work at Baylor College of Medicine in the Texas Heart Institute program at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston, where he rose to the rank of Chief Interventional Fellow.

Board-certified in internal medicine and cardiology, Dr. Condara has been practicing in Houston for the entirety of his medical career. Before joining MD², he spent the first decade of his career at Cardiology Associates, followed by over two decades practicing at Memorial Hermann Medical Group. His medical interests include general, preventative and interventional cardiology.

Dr. Condara has devoted himself to public and professional service at the national and regional levels. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and a member of the Harris Country Medical Society and the Texas Medical Association. He also served in a leadership role at the American Heart Association, Houston division, was an Executive Committee member of the Texas Heart Institute Cardiac Society, and was the chairman of the cardiology section at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center.

For Your Consideration

There is a purity to MD2 you will not find elsewhere. At the heart of it, you are 1 of just 50 families who retain the services of a personal physician who knows you as well as their own family. The annual fee is $24,000 for an individual, paid on a monthly basis, and we do not bill insurance or Medicare. Additional family members can be added at an additional cost. The MD2 fee ensures absolute, unlimited access to your physician, as well as their physician partner, and covers all care and services provided by the office.

Is there an annual contract for services?

We believe medical care should be based on a deeply meaningful relationship between a physician and a patient that ideally lasts a lifetime – not a contract. The only contract we use reflects our promise to you. It binds us to you, not the other way around. There is no obligation on your part. If for any reason you wish to depart MD2, you can cancel your services at any time without any financial commitment. Your doctor will graciously work with you to establish care with another physician of your choosing.

What services are included?

Simply put, every primary care service is included. There is no additional billing. To help you understand the term “primary care,” think of it as all the care and services required when you “go to your doctor.” But in this case, your doctor is a star internist who graduated at the top of their class and is regarded as the master diagnostician – an art that can be lost today, but never at MD2.

This includes such things as an extensive annual physical, unlimited visits, house and workplace calls, x-rays, routine lab tests and diagnostics indicated by your age, health, and conditioning status. These tests may include blood panels, cardiovascular screening, cancer evaluations, and whatever else your physician believes will promote your healthiest lifestyle. When you leave an MD2 office, you are never handed a bill for our services.

With unlimited time, your MD2 physician will go beyond the customary. They will guide you to appropriate consultants, specialists, and surgical services as needed and often accompany you to those appointments to ensure complete continuity of care. Your care is thorough and extensive yet always custom tailored.

Will my physician manage my care while I am traveling?

MD2 was explicitly designed to accommodate families who travel frequently and often live in a second residence for at least part of the year. Caring for highly mobile families is our specialty. Your physician will always remain your primary contact when you or your family travels; they will be your first call if you have a medical need and are prepared to care for you, regardless of your location. In addition, prepping for travel and planning your care while you are away will be a key element of your care. Should you fall ill or need medical attention while in another city with an MD2 office, your physician will coordinate care for you with their MD2 partner in that city. Lastly, as an MD2 patient, you are enrolled in a worldwide medical evacuation service, should you ever need it.

What if my physician goes on vacation?

We've set up each MD2 practice so that your physician or their partner will always be available to you. You will have direct access to both physicians’ private cell phones, which you can call anytime, day or night. If your physician is unavailable, you will have direct access to their MD2 partner physician. You will never have to go through a front desk, an obscure exchange service or even a nurse to get to your physician or their partner, even if they are on vacation.

What if I need to go to the hospital?

At MD2, you will never be left alone in your time of need. Shockingly, it has become customary today that physicians no longer follow patients during hospitalization. Instead, they leave their patients in the hands of hospitalists. At MD2 we believe this is unacceptable. MD2 physicians visit their patients while in the hospital and orchestrate care with medical specialists in any field. Should you require a hospital stay, your physician will be at your side as your advocate and quarterback.

Furthermore, if specific health services would be best provided at a medical center in another city, your MD2 physician will make all the arrangements for your stay and continue to be involved in overseeing your care.

Can my children join MD2?

As internists, we specialize in the care of adult patients, however, the age at which children transition out of pediatric care varies by individual. It’s a wonderful discussion to have with your MD2 physician. Please know that even when your child is under the care of their pediatrician, we welcome being involved and receiving questions. Multi-generational care is our specialty.

Transform Everything You Thought was Possible

We welcome your inquiry by giving us a call at 425-658-0959, or completing the form.