Meet Dr. Joel W. Steelman
Joel W. Steelman, M.D. grew up a military brat on the move every three to four years to a new home in a different state. Nevertheless, his family roots remained in Texas where he finished high school and attended Texas A&M University both for his undergraduate and medical degrees.
During his second year of medical school, Dr. Steelman realized he had a passion for caring for children. He joined the U.S. Air Force while in medical school and worked as a general pediatrician for four years after completing his pediatric residency. His work with diabetic children, as well as encouragement from endocrine mentors, sparked his decision to leave the military and pursue endocrine subspecialty training.
He trained in pediatric endocrinology at the University of Colorado Children's Hospital, where the magnificent setting turned Dr. Steelman into a lifelong outdoor sport enthusiast, with a strong desire to lead a healthy life. He regularly returns to the West with family and enjoys hiking, skiing, and mountain biking.
While in Colorado, Dr. Steelman developed an interest in care and research in the area of bone disorders, and he began to treat children with osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease - a rare, crippling malady. After completing his endocrinology training, He left the West to enter academic medicine at Vanderbilt Children's hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, continuing his work in patient care, teaching, and research.
The desire to be closer to family brought Dr. Steelman back home to Texas in 2008 to Cook Children's. The growth in the endocrine team has allowed him to expand his emphasis in care of special pediatric endocrine populations in subspecialty clinics including the endocrine bone health clinic, endocrine cancer survivor clinic, growth clinic, and Life After Cancer program.
Outside of Cook Children's, Dr. Steelman is involved in pediatric endocrine advocacy and education. He serves on the board of directors for the non-profit organizations Human Growth Foundation and PESTOLA. He regularly speaks and organizes educational programs on behalf of these organizations.
Dr. Steelman is married and enjoys spending time with family, especially spending time outdoors.
Dr. Steelman is an incredible endocrinologist. He needs to be recognized by so many people because of all the work that he does above and beyond for the kids, as well as his nursing staff. – Patient family
Services
- Adrenal gland disorders
- Adolescent medicine
- Pediatric bone health care
- Growth and puberty diagnosis
- Thyroid diagnosis
Reviews
Average rating:
Questions were addressed |
4.7
|
Provider explained things clearly |
4.8
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Likelihood of recommending this provider |
4.7
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Trust/confidence in physicians |
4.7
|
What our families say
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June 18, 2025
This was our first visit to the specialist's office. The quality of patient care and pride of staff was outstanding from the time we checked in to our walk out. My toddler (patient) was on the verge of melting down after arrival, and I had no idea how the blood draw would go. The professionalism embodied by everyone we saw helped both her and I calm down. On our way home, my daughter told me "doctor's office is SO much fun" and "want to see doctor's office friends later." So - I guess we'll have to come back?
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June 18, 2025
The doctor does a wonderful job making sure my son is part of the decisions about his treatment and that he knows what is going on and why. He affords him privacy and respects his body autonomy.
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June 10, 2025
Dr. Steelman is amazing and so kind to [...]. His Nurse [...] made us feel so comfortable, welcomed and informed of our upcoming appointments.
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June 07, 2025
He's always there for the kids very nice kind man
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June 07, 2025
Dr Steelman,he's a very nice and kind man and he's always giving 100% to my boys
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June 07, 2025
It was great we were in he took his time checked them all out and everything was great
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May 28, 2025
Dr Steelman and [...] were amazing, and the front desk ladies are always so kind
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May 21, 2025
Very impressed. We came from a hospital we called home for 10 years so we had high bars set. Cooks cleared those with ease!
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May 21, 2025
The nurses, doctor, check in staff, phlebotomist and X-ray technician were all very pleasant and so sweet with [...]
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May 10, 2025
Dr steelman is wonderful!
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April 29, 2025
They are amazing, they do so well with my son and care for all of his needs. Hes scared of the blood pressure cuff and the nurse got him to do it without crying!
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April 12, 2025
The staff here have excellent communication and really show they care.
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April 12, 2025
Dr Stellman and his RN were great.
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April 04, 2025
Dr Steelman was amazing. He listened to all my concerns, handled my many questions gracefully, and went over everything including risks in good detail. Would absolutely recommend him to others
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March 07, 2025
It went very well for me
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March 05, 2025
The front desk staff was welcoming and efficient in checking us in.
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February 26, 2025
Very good
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February 08, 2025
Everyone was very friendly and helped us feel very comfortable.
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February 08, 2025
Dr Steelman is great
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February 03, 2025
Dr Steelman very profesional and supportive
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January 22, 2025
The pharmacist was very helpful with her medication updates. Dr Steelman was very thorough. The wait time was long.
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January 09, 2025
The front desk receptionist and nurses were sweet and amazing and were so good with our kids. They made the appointment fun and enjoyable for them!
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December 31, 2024
Great
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December 28, 2024
Dr Steelman is always so kind and answers any questions we have. We really appreciate him.
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November 08, 2024
Responsive to scheduling timelines appreciated
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October 26, 2024
Dr. Steelman is great!
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October 08, 2024
Everything is fine
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September 28, 2024
All great service
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September 28, 2024
The nurse who worked with us is always very sweet and kind and seems to enjoy my child's jokes
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August 29, 2024
Dr. Steelman is so great with my daughter! [...] is not someone that warms up to people quickly and even though this wasn't her first time seeing him, we go months between appointments. Dr. Steelman always makes sure she warms up to him (which she does quickly) prior to examining her. She talks freely around him and is comfortable outside of my arms, it makes her appointment go so smooth and I truly appreciate him for it!
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August 28, 2024
Dr. Steelman is wonderful with my son, very caring and make my son laugh!
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August 22, 2024
Dr. Steelman was very thorough and very helpful and willing to do all he could to help.
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August 13, 2024
Dr Steelman is a very good physician, very knowledgeable and kind.
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August 09, 2024
Great visit!
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July 31, 2024
He has a very good doctor.
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July 31, 2024
During the lab draw the phlebotomist was very kind and treated my daughter with the utmost respect.
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July 31, 2024
Dr Steeleman had a medical student with him, she was very kind. Dr was very kind to my daughter and included her in all decisions/ discussions regarding her health care that was discussed.
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July 31, 2024
Dr. Steelman is kind, speaks clearly, answers questions. The nurse who checked vitals [...] was kind and engaged well with my teenager.
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July 05, 2024
Dr. Steelman listened to all of our concerns and asked all the right questions. We never felt rushed while we were there and were so thankful he immediately took steps to determine our child's diagnosis. Courtney and her assistant in lab were so kind, made the lab draw a fun experience for our child and were quick!
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July 05, 2024
Ella the nurse was so kind. Dr Steelman always listens intently and makes us feel heard. We like him very much!
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July 04, 2024
The Doctor and nurse were both so kind as well as the nurse who took babies blood. All three deserve a high praise, much thanks to them and their work.
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July 04, 2024
It wads a amazing visit and my family appreciated everything the nurses and doctor's did for us and my son
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June 28, 2024
200% positive experience! We couldn't be happier.
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June 28, 2024
Stacy and Dr. Steelman we amazing, as was Kari who took our child's blood. Everyone was GREAT!
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June 26, 2024
A very good doctor takes care of my child very well every visit he has
Education
- Medical school:
- Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX
- Residency:
- Keesler USAF Medical Center, Biloxi, MS
- Board certifications:
- General Pediatrics
- Pediatric Endocrinology
Affiliations
- Human Growth Foundation,PESTOLA,Cook Children's Physician Network
Recognitions
- Top Doctor (360 West Magazine)
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