Dr. M. Brian Harkins

"Surgery is more than a procedure—it's a partnership between patient and surgeon. My commitment is to deliver precision, compassion, and excellence every time."

Dr. Brian Harkins was born in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and spent much of his childhood traveling across the Southeastern United States before his family eventually settled in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It was there that he met his high school sweetheart, whom he married shortly after their senior year in May 1978. Together, they built a family and welcomed four children—a son in 1980, a daughter in 1983, and twin daughters in 1987. Now a proud grandparent, Dr. Harkins feels fortunate that all his adult children still live nearby, allowing him to spend regular quality time with them, which remains one of his greatest joys.

In addition to his dedication to family, Dr. Harkins enjoys outdoor activities and has a passion for building and creating. Since moving to Tomball, Texas, in 1997, he has embraced the warm, community-oriented atmosphere of the area and considers it his permanent home. Whether spending time with his family or engaging in his hobbies, Dr. Harkins values the balance between his professional life and his personal passions, which enrich his connection to his community and loved ones.

Dr. Brian Harkins began his professional journey in 1978 when he joined the U.S. Air Force to pursue educational opportunities. While serving as a nuclear missile mechanic at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota, he began his college education at the University of North Dakota before transferring to LSU in Baton Rouge. He earned his medical degree from LSU Medical School in 1984 with the support of a military scholarship, gaining valuable clinical experience at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. Dr. Harkins completed his general surgery residency at Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, where he received early exposure to minimally invasive surgical techniques such as laparoscopy. His excellence during residency earned him awards for Outstanding Graduating Resident and Outstanding Resident Laparoscopic Surgeon. He went on to serve as Chief of Specialty Care at Fort McClellan in Anniston, Alabama, further honing his skills in both leadership and surgery.

After 16 years of military service, Dr. Harkins transitioned to private practice in 1997, establishing his surgical practice in Tomball, Texas. He introduced laparoscopic techniques to the area and became a key advocate for minimally invasive surgery through lectures and seminars. In 2014, Dr. Harkins embraced the latest DaVinci surgical system platform, making him a leader in robotic surgery and earning him recognition as one of the top 1% of general surgeons globally for his experience with the technology. Today, he practices at the Surgical Advanced Specialty Center, a state-of-the-art 10,000-square-foot facility he designed and built in 2003. This modern environment reflects his commitment to providing exceptional, patient-centered care while advancing surgical innovation. As Robotics Committee Chairman at Tomball Regional Medical Center, he continues to pioneer robotic surgical techniques, ensuring patients benefit from cutting-edge care.