Harlingen Medical Center President & Chief Executive Officer, Brenda Ivory, announced that Juan Joel Garza, M.D., Interventional Cardiologist has been appointed to serve as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for the nationally recognized and award-winning Harlingen Medical Center, effective immediately.
Dr. Garza comes to Harlingen Medical Center with extensive knowledge in the areas of quality of care, patient experience, clinical integration, and process improvement across the continuum of care.
“We are excited to have Dr. Garza take on this leadership role within our hospital – to work alongside our team of clinical experts and to engage in the clinical strategy and direction of Harlingen Medical Center,” said Ms. Ivory. “Dr. Garza brings with him a wealth of experience in key areas of importance for our hospital.”
“I am honored to serve Harlingen Medical Center in this capacity. With the assistance of other doctors, nurses and hospital personnel, we will further improve and optimize patient care and patient outcomes at our facility,” said Dr. Garza.
Dr. Garza has been in private practice since 2004, joining first The Heart Clinic located in Hidalgo County (McAllen, TX) and eventually joining The South Heart Clinic located in Cameron County (Harlingen, TX), where he now serves his patients. The South Heart Clinic is one of the most highly regarded heart clinics in South Texas – for its patient clinical outcomes.
Dr. Garza completed an Internal Medicine residency, Cardiology fellowship and Interventional Cardiology fellowship at Baylor Scott & White Health, in Temple, TX. He earned a Doctorate of Medicine Degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and a Bachelor’s Degree from Texas A&M University in College Station.
Dr. Garza’s teaching appointments include: Clinical Assistant Professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center – Regional Academic Health Center – Harlingen; and, Faculty-Assistant Clinical Professor Department of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center – Regional Academic Health Center – Harlingen and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Dr. Garza is a member, and fellow, respectively of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, with a specialty in Interventional Cardiology, and has more than a decade of clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, a leading service line for Harlingen Medical Center.