We were lucky to catch up with Tonie Reincke recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tonie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I never had a predictable path — because there wasn’t one laid out ahead of me.
I grew up knowing that success wasn’t something handed down, it was something built. I was the first in my family to step onto a college campus, not because it was expected, but because I refused to let expectations define me. Every class, every late-night study session, every moment I wondered if I truly belonged — those became the bricks of the foundation I was creating for myself.
I chose healthcare not as a job, but as a calling. I began as a Registered Nurse, learning the true heartbeat of patient care — the hands-on, soul-level work that teaches you the “why” behind medicine.
But I wasn’t done.
While some might have seen a career already in motion, I saw a horizon. Becoming a PA-C was my next leap — another risk, another reinvention. I stepped boldly into more responsibility, more knowledge, more of the voice I knew I could have in my patients’ lives.
Still, I wasn’t finished — because my potential wasn’t finished.
So I did something most would call impossible once life is already underway: I committed to becoming an MD. More sacrifice. More nights studying while everyone else was sleeping. More doubt to overcome. More financial and emotional risk. More proving — to the world, and to myself — that where I come from does not dictate where I am going.
Every step was a gamble.
Every step was growth.
Every step was worth it.
Today, I am a physician who has lived every level of patient care — from the bedside to the surgical suite. I am a woman who broke barriers simply by refusing to stop. I am living proof that success is not a straight line — it’s a climb, a series of leaps, a testament to courage.
I didn’t just change my life — I changed the story for everyone who comes after me.
And I did it all by betting on myself.

Tonie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Dr. Tonie Reincke, and I’m the founder and medical director of Reincke Vein Center in Sugar Land, Texas, where I specialize exclusively in the diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of leg vein disease. My path into medicine wasn’t linear — and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of. I was the first person in my family to attend college, beginning my career as a Registered Nurse. From there, I advanced to become a Physician Assistant, and ultimately took the leap to earn my medical degree and complete specialized fellowship training. Every step required risk, grit, and deep belief that I could make a bigger impact for patients.
Early in my career, I saw firsthand how much pain, embarrassment, and lifestyle limitation vein disease can cause — yet how often it’s dismissed as “just cosmetic.” I knew patients deserved more than that. So I built my practice around a simple but powerful mission: to restore confidence, mobility, and quality of life for people suffering from vein problems.
At Reincke Vein Center, we offer personalized, state-of-the-art solutions for varicose veins, venous insufficiency, leg swelling, skin discoloration, and vein-related injuries. Our treatments are minimally invasive, office-based, and designed to help patients get back to life quickly without major surgery. But what truly sets us apart is our one-on-one care model. As an independent physician, I take the time to listen, educate, and build a relationship with every patient — something that has become increasingly rare in corporate medicine.
I’m honored to have been recognized as Best Vein Doctor in Fort Bend County for eight consecutive years and named one of Houston’s Top 30 Influential Women — but my proudest achievements are the patients who walk back into their lives without pain, fear, or limitations.
For anyone considering treatment or wanting to learn more, I want them to know this: you don’t have to live with heavy, aching, restless legs or hide bulging veins. You deserve to feel confident in your skin and capable in your movement. My team and I are here to help you get that back — safely, comfortably, and compassionately.
This work isn’t just my profession — it’s my passion and my purpose.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe my reputation has been built on one simple core philosophy: every patient deserves to feel heard.

From day one, I made it my mission to understand what truly concerns my patients — not just what appears on an ultrasound or fits neatly into a diagnosis code. Sometimes their biggest worry is pain or swelling. Sometimes it’s being unable to exercise or travel. And sometimes, it’s the confidence they’ve lost because they no longer feel comfortable showing their legs. Even if their concern ends up being something I don’t treat directly, I make sure they leave with answers, guidance, and reassurance. No one should feel brushed off or minimized when it comes to their health.

In a healthcare world that often measures success by volume — how many patients you see, how fast you move, how many procedures you perform — I’ve chosen a different priority: care over case numbers. I take the time to educate, to explain options, and to help each individual understand what’s happening in their body. That personal connection builds trust, and trust is what leads to better outcomes.

Patients know when you’re genuinely invested in them. I think that’s what has earned me the reputation I have today — not just as a vein specialist, but as a physician who truly cares about the person attached to the legs we’re treating.

At the end of the day, I measure success by how my patients feel — and that has made all the difference.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

My philosophy on leadership was shaped by what not to do. Throughout my medical training, I experienced the toxicity that can come from hierarchical environments — where students and residents are barely recognized for their contributions and often made to feel unwelcome or inferior. I knew early on that if I ever led a team, it would be the exact opposite of that.
Before opening my practice, I invested in a multi-month leadership development program because I believe great patient care starts with great team care. Respect is the foundation of everything we do at Reincke Vein Center. My staff is valued as professionals and as people — their input matters, their well-being matters, and their growth matters.
I practice intentional recognition. When someone goes above and beyond, I acknowledge it — not just privately, but publicly. We celebrate wins, big and small. I prioritize team lunches, snacks, and moments to step away and breathe. And when it comes to compensation, I ensure annual raises and bonuses that far exceed simple cost-of-living adjustments — because appreciation should be tangible.
But the most important part of my leadership approach is this: I will never ask my team to do anything I do not or would not do myself. I’m right there beside them — whether that’s moving equipment, helping room a patient, or navigating a tough day.
Strong morale isn’t accidental. It’s built through consistency, empathy, and genuine gratitude. I’m proud to say that since launching my solo practice, I’ve had the same dedicated team by my side. Staff retention isn’t just a metric — it’s a testament to a culture where people feel respected, supported, and truly valued.
When your team thrives, your patients feel it — and your entire practice rises with them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.reinckeveincenter.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reincke_vein.center/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reinckeveincenter
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonie-reincke-md-863098162
• Youtube: @dr.toniereincke

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