Jian Garcia Cruz, MD

Media Releases

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Chief Resident Combines Passion for Medicine with Commitment to Community Service

A dedicated physician, Dr. Cruz is the Chief Resident in Internal Medicine at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and a future candidate for a Cardiology fellowship.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she has always been committed to improving healthcare access for underserved populations. She earned her medical degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, where she not only excelled academically but also engaged deeply with her community. 

During her time in medical school, Dr. Cruz collaborated with several non-profit organizations, providing free medical services to those in need. Her humanitarian spirit led her to participate in medical missionary trips to countries such as Venezuela, Ecuador, Mexico, and her home island of Puerto Rico, where she witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by marginalized communities in accessing healthcare.

As the Chief Resident of Internal Medicine at UTRGV, she is recognized for her leadership skills, compassionate patient care, and commitment to medical education. She leads a team of residents, guiding them in their training while also contributing to research initiatives aimed at improving patient outcomes. She is particularly interested in the field of cardiology, where she hopes to specialize and continue her mission of serving underserved communities.

Outside of her rigorous medical career, Dr. Cruz enjoys playing sports, which she finds to be a perfect balance to her demanding schedule. She also cherishes her time spent with her German shepherd and family, valuing the importance of work-life balance in maintaining her well-being.

Recommended Articles

• Sore Tongue

  The tongue is made up of different muscles that help us speak, swallow, chew, or taste food. So when we have a sore tongue, it can be quite hard to ignore.Although a sore tongue is not always a cause for concern, emergency medical attention may be required in some cases, such as rapid tongue...

• What is Medicaid?

  Medicaid is a health insurance program by the federal government to cover the finances for basic health and long-term care of low-income individuals. Unlike the Medicare, which is available to every citizen over the age of 65-years-old, Medicaid is available only for people with low-income, limited...

• What Is Oromandibular Dystonia?

  Oromandibular DystoniaOromandibular dystonia is a type of focal dystonia. This condition is also called cranial dystonia, in which the face, jaw, or tongue forcefully contracts and becomes difficult to open and close the mouth. Thus, a person's speech and ability to chew are affected. Cranial...

• Are Spas Safe?

  The word spa derives from the history of a small village in Belgium, where Roman soldiers would relax in local hot mineral springs to alleviate body aches. Bath techniques, similar to the ones the Romans took advantage of in Belgium, have been used to cure many ailments in different...

• HIV: 5 Transmission Myths

  What is HIV?HIV is a virus that was discovered in the 1980s. It attacks a person's immune system, causing it to be too weak to fight outside infections. The HIV virus works by destroying white blood cells, called CD4 cells, in the immune system, and progresses through three stages, the last of which...

• What is a Good Drink to Consume When I Workout?

  It goes without saying that exercise is key to good health. Having the right kind of food and drinking adequate fluids also help in achieving this goal. Taking good amount of nutrients helps to give the power for the workout and also for repairing the muscles after the workout. But all of us have...