Dr. Andrejs Avots-Avotins is a proud graduate of the Temple High School class of 1972. He also attended Travis Jr. High School when his family first moved to Temple. Dr. Avots earned his BA in Biology from UT Austin and his Ph.D. and M.D. from UTMB in Galveston.
He was able to come back to his hometown to begin his career joining the S&W Division of Gastroenterology in 1989. He has served as a member of the S&W Clinic Board of Directors which he also chaired from 2008 to 2013 and he currently serves as the Elizabeth & Drayton McLane, Jr. Chair in Health & Wellness and Vice President of Medical Affairs, Provider Engagement and Community Affairs.
The Avots family proudly boasts five Temple High School alums as his wife Gail Brown Avots (’72), and three children – Kristin (‘01), Lauren (’04), and Erik (’07) -- are also Temple High School graduates.
When asked to share his favorite memory from his years as a student in TISD, Dr. Avots cited:
- · Great teachers
- · Science/Math classes
- · Fine Arts Programs – especially the Band, Highlighters and Theatre Arts
- · Football games and the halftimes shows for the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day
- · Senior year Christmas Dance
What does being a Wildcat mean to you?
“My years in TISD prepared me well to face the challenges of college, post graduate studies and ultimately my work as a physician caring for patients and the communities they lived in. My teachers and mentors at TISD taught me to be both passionate and determined. They instilled in me the necessity of always being prepared and to aspire to help others. To me, a Wildcat is always well prepared, determined, and seeks to help others.” -Dr. Andrejs Avots-Avotins
Dr. Avots contributions to our community are profound and innumerable. But perhaps the most striking thing about him is his incredible humility, kindness and selflessness. We are so very proud to recognize him in our Alumni Spotlight!
