Dr. Petak received his MD from University of Illinois Medical School in Chicago (1979) and did his subsequent training at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He did his residency in Internal Medicine and served an extra year as Chief Medical Resident and continued with his fellowship in Endocrinology and Metabolism. He then served at UT - Houston as Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology for three years and working under a NIH Physician Scientist award. In 1989, he joined the Texas Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Endocrinology and continues to serve as clinical faculty at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. In 1996, he received his JD at the University of Houston Magna Cum Laude and is licensed to practice law in Texas.

He has published articles, book chapters, guidelines, and reviews in the areas of reproductive medicine and metabolic bone disease in particular. He is currently President of the International Society of Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) for the 2005-2006 term and President-Elect of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) for the 2005-2006 term. He is also the bone densitometry and endocrine consultant to NASA at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. He has previously chaired the American Medical Association CME committee for osteoporosis and the Osteoporosis Advisory Committee to the Texas Department of Health from 1996-2000. He has served on numerous committees of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Endocrinology, and the International Society of Clinical Densitometry.

On a personal note, his wife of 24 years is a veterinarian in private practice. His daughter Kate (her name is a palindrome) is an accomplished Harpist current finishing her undergraduate studies at Ball State University School of Music. His son Alex is a freshman attending the University of Texas at Austin (Rose Bowl Winner and National Champions 2005). They also have 5 cats, an adopted greyhound and a pug.