The youngest patients who come through the doors at Rio Grande Urology all know Alfonso Latiff, M.D., F.A.C.S. As RGU’s pediatric urologist, he enthusiastically greets each patient he treats, from babies to kids to teens.
Spend just a few minutes with Dr. Latiff, and you’ll see that he has a clear passion for his work in this specialized field. “Taking care of kids is enormously rewarding,” he said.
Dr. Latiff’s calling into pediatrics started during his pediatric rotation in medical school. As a resident at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, he and a fellow med student cared for babies who were failing to thrive. “We would make slings from the blankets and take these tiny babies and bring them around with us,” shared Dr. Latiff. He enjoyed connecting with the babies and helping them improve. Later, he discovered that urology enabled him to pursue many areas of medicine that he loved — including surgery, medical work, and patient interaction. So he combined these two passions to pursue pediatric urology.
After graduating from Emory with his Doctor of Medicine, he went on to complete his urological training at the University of Miami School of Medicine in Florida, as well as an additional year as a fellow in pediatric urology, where he further honed his skills and expertise.
Dedicated to Pediatric Urology Treatment and Education
Dr. Latiff has been practicing in El Paso for 22 years. He began at El Paso Del Norte Urology before it merged with another group to form Rio Grande Urology 13 years ago. He applies his expertise to the treatment of a range of urological issues in kids, and he specializes in hydrocelectomy, hypospadias repair, management of vesicoureteral reflux, and orchiopexy.
“Children are not little adults,” he explained. “You have to stay up-to-date in the management of taking care of children.” From treating illness or disease related to the urinary tract, such as incontinence issues, to providing reconstructive surgeries for more complex issues such as birth defects, each approach requires specialized care to support children’s health as they are continuing to develop.
In addition to treating patients, an important part of his work at RGU includes providing education to the community to increase awareness about pediatric urological issues and when to seek treatment. “There has to be an early awareness of these congenital problems,” said Dr. Latiff. “Part of what we do at RGU is to educate the pediatric community about what the problems are and when they need to be referred. That’s been part of how we handle patients ever since I’ve been here.”
And that approach is one of RGU’s many distinctives that set it apart.
Collaborating for Patient Care at RGU
One of the things he appreciates most about working at RGU is the team’s commitment to its patients, and to collaboration. “As physicians, we help each other; we check on each other,” he said. “If someone has a complicated case, he can call any partner and there is always someone who will help you. We see each other’s patients and we don’t fight over patients.”
He shared that the environment at RGU is unlike many other medical groups. The opportunity to share work and provide support across specialties sets the RGU physician team apart, and patients reap the benefits as they get the best possible care.
Making El Paso Home
Originally hailing from Bogata, Columbia, where he was raised, and after living in several large cities in the U.S., Dr. Latiff was eager to move to a smaller city following medical school. He found a home here in El Paso.
“I like the environment. I like the weather. I like being on a bike when I’m not on call,” he shared. In addition to biking, when he’s not working, Dr. Latiff enjoys spending time with his wife, who is a skilled anesthesiologist, and his two grown children. He also loves being outdoors caring for his fruit trees and grapevines.
Interested in learning more about the pediatric urology treatment options available at RGU? Contact us to schedule an appointment.
