Donald Ellsworth, M.D.

Dr. Donald Ellsworth has devoted his career to helping individuals restore and maintain health through natural and functional medicine. Since joining Hotze Health & Wellness Center in 2003, he has brought decades of experience in family medicine, medical education, public health, and international medical ministry to the practice.

Dr. Ellsworth graduated with high honors from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Molecular Biology and Engineering Science. He earned his medical degree with Honors from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and completed his Family Medicine residency in 1989. He later served as a Medical Officer in the United States Air Force before joining the faculty of the Saints Family Medicine Residency Program in Oklahoma City, where he taught medical students and residents while caring for patients with a wide range of medical conditions.

In 1994, Dr. Ellsworth and his wife, Sylvia, moved with their family to Uzbekistan to serve in medical ministry. During eight years overseas, he served as Medical Director of a non-profit organization and helped develop the first home medical textbook in the Uzbek language as well as the country’s first school health program, both of which are still used today. He also led public health initiatives focused on anemia, hypothyroidism prevention, and community wellness education.

A personal family health challenge led Dr. Ellsworth to pursue a deeper understanding of root-cause medicine after conventional treatments failed to resolve his wife’s chronic fatigue and allergies. Through research into natural therapies, including treatment for yeast overgrowth and hormone balance, he witnessed dramatic improvements in her health. This experience helped shape his passion for functional and integrative medicine. Today, Dr. Ellsworth and Sylvia are the proud parents of four adult children and are excited as they chart new territory as grandparents.

After returning to Houston, Dr. Ellsworth continued advanced training in natural and functional medicine and met Dr. Steven F. Hotze, founder and owner of the Hotze Health & Wellness Center. Inspired by Dr. Hotze’s vision for wellness-centered care, Dr. Ellsworth joined the Wellness Center team. Dr. Ellsworth has been an integral part of Hotze Health & Wellness Center by providing exceptional guest care and leadership in bringing innovative treatment modalities to the practice.

Dr. Ellsworth is certified through the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) and is also ReCODE Certified in Dr. Dale Bredesen’s program focused on the prevention and reversal of cognitive decline. He remains committed to staying current with the latest advancements in functional, preventive, and natural medicine to help guests achieve lasting health and wellness naturally.