More Than Medicine: Surgical Oncology Associates of South Texas
Meet Dr. Morton Kehlenberg
Thanks for giving us the honor of featuring you and your practice Dr. Kahlenberg. I know you and I go WAY back but I’d love to introduce you to our community as well! Let’s start at the beginning, what is the name of your practice and where is it located?
The name of my practice is Surgical Oncology Associates of South Texas. My offices are located in Stone Oak in the Atrium at North Central Baptist Hospital and in the medical office building adjacent to Northeast Baptist Hospital off highway 410.
I love that your geographical reach covers such a large area of northern San Antonio! What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine, what drives your passion?
A career in medicine offered me the opportunity to marry my interest in science and my desire to impact people’s lives. My passion is driven by the benefits that surgery and other cancer treatments provide for patients dramatically altering their lives.
How did you decide to specialize in surgical oncology?
Cancer prevention and treatment strategies are complex and patients facing the diagnosis of cancer are so deserving of expert care. Surgical oncology, the surgical treatment of cancer, offers the ability to cure many patients.
It’s such a unique calling to work with patients when they are facing a very difficult time in their lives. I’ve always been so impressed with your kind and compassionate interactions with patients and their families.
What do you think makes your practice unique?
My practice is dedicated to the surgical prevention and treatment of patients with cancer, unlike other surgery practices that offer many non-cancer procedures. We offer a personalized comprehensive approach to patient care. All cancer patients are unique.
I think that’s an important differentiator because you have immense depth in oncologic diagnoses that a general surgeon may not. And I imagine you’ve seen just about every diagnosis over the span of your career!
If you could make one change to the healthcare system, what would it be?
Develop a resource pool of funds so that all deserving patients can receive care.
That seems to be a common sentiment from the physicians we’ve interviewed for the More Than Medicine series. The healthcare industry is so complex and unfortunately sometimes the patient gets lost in the mix.
Let’s get a little personal, what are some hobbies that bring you joy or help you unwind?
I enjoy automobile detailing and minor car maintenance. There is something very therapeutic that comes from cleaning and waxing a car.
I had no idea but somehow that doesn’t surprise me! I would imagine that you are just as meticulous with a car as you are with your surgical approach and bedside manner!
What’s one thing most people might not know about you?
I am a proud father and grandfather.
And you have children that are also entering into the field of medicine! Congratulations on building a beautiful family and I hope you get to especially enjoy your time as a grandfather.
Do you have anything coming up in 2026 that you’d like to highlight?
As the Baptist Health System’s Medical Director of Cancer Services and the Baptist Breast Network, I am helping to expand nurse navigation services for my patients.
You and I both know how critical nurse navigation is to a patient’s journey. Thank you for your never-ending passion for serving those facing a cancer diagnosis and for your hard work to create better systems of care. Thank you for taking the time to visit with me today!