Dr. William Howland is an Austin, Texas-based allergist. He treats patients who have all types of allergies, including hay fever asthma and food allergies. Dr. William Howland considers himself a Texas native, and has practiced in different states, but came home to establish his practice with the Allergy and Asthma Center of Austin. Recently, Aicube staffers asked Dr. William Howland to describe his life and what brought him to the specialty of allergy medicine.
Aicube: Welcome Dr. Howland! So, to begin is allergy medicine something that you’ve always been drawn to?
Dr. William Howland: Thank you for having me. Well, I became an allergist because I suffered with allergiesand asthma as a child – I know how those illnesses can affect a person.
Aicube: So, you had allergies as a child? That must have been difficult.
Dr. William Howland: Well, I wouldn’t say it was difficult per se, but I would say that it was definitely challenging.
Aicube: Did you play sports?
Dr. William Howland: I did, butthat was complicated by my breathing issues. SoI have tremendous empathy for the children I treat.
Aicube: What special educational challenges do children with allergies and asthma face?
Dr. William Howland:Under-treated or untreated allergies have been proven to impair learning, memory and alertness, which makes keeping up in class difficult.
Aicube: Speaking of school, where did you receive your secondary education?
Dr. William Howland: I attended the University of Texas in Austin and UT Medical School in Galveston.
Aicube: Where did you complete your residency?
Dr. William Howland: My residency in Internal Medicine was at Scott and White Hospital in Temple. My Allergy Fellowship residency was at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in La Jolla, California.
Aicube: Where are you based out of, currently?
Dr. William Howland: Well, my office is locatedin north-central Austin less than 10 miles away from my boyhood home, which I think is pretty great.
Aicube: What about your family?
Dr. William Howland: I have a wife and two children. I also have three dogs.
Aicube: Do you have any hobbies?
Dr. William Howland:Although Austin has changed a lot in the last 40 some odd years, the constant is music. Austin is a great music town. So, I would definitely say music is my hobby. I enjoy playing in a band on weekends.
Aicube: What’s the name of the band?
Dr. William Howland: The name of the band is Code Blue, and we play rock and roll.
Aicube: Well, on behalf of all the allergy patients and music lovers in Austin, I would like to say, “Keep on rock and rolling.”
Dr. William Howland: I will. Thanks for having me.
For more information about Dr. William Howland and the Allergy and Asthma Center of Austin visit him online at www.nosneezes.com
About Dr. William Howland
Growing up in Austin, Texas, Dr. William Howland suffered with allergies. Experiencing them firsthand made the decision to specialize in asthma and allergies as a medical doctor an easy one. Since his return to Austin in 1991, Dr. William Howland has been helping Texans cope with Austin’s extreme allergens.
In addition to his private practice at the Allergy and Asthma Center of Austin (www.nosneezes.com), Dr. William Howland researches new medicines and treatments for asthma and allergies through his research group, Sirius Clinical Research. Dr. William Howland has spent the past fifteen years experimenting with various treatments, determined to find relief for allergy sufferers across the region.
Unlike many other areas, Austin has three distinct allergy seasons, including wintertime when Cedar Fever affects residents, Dr. William Howland says. Austin’s Mountain Cedar tree is said to be the highest pollen-producing plant in the world, with allergy season for this plant beginning around December of each year and sending many Austin residents to experts like Dr. William Howland for treatment.
Upon first visiting Dr. William Howland’s offices, a new patient may be tested to determine his or her specific sensitivities. Dr. William Howland performs skin tests with a variety of local allergens, with reactions usually taking place within fifteen minutes. Once testing is complete, the patients meets with Dr. William Howland to discuss results and treatment plans.
When you meet with Dr. William Howland, you can feel confident that you are in capable hands. A magna cum laude graduate from the University of Texas, Dr. William Howland obtained his MD from the medical branch of the University of Texas at Galveston. Board certified with the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, Dr. William Howland practiced in South Carolina and Florida before returning to his hometown of Austin.
A respected author and speaker, Dr. William Howland’s writing has been featured in many medical journals. His regular segment on allergies, shown on the local ABC affiliate KUVE’s newscast, covers such topics as how allergies affect a student’s school performance and allergens in your own garden.
In his spare time, Dr. William Howland plays in a cover rock band, Code Blue. The band performs hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, covering the best rock songs of all time. Dr. William Howland is bassist for the band, as well as singing lead and backup. He co-founded the band with Austin fireman Joe Augeri and they’ve played weddings, parties, and other events at venues in Austin, Dallas, and San Diego for the past fifteen years. Dr. Howland also helps with lighting and sound for the band.
Dr. William Howland lives in Austin with his wife and two children.
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