Biography
Dr. Garcia received his B.S. degrees in Biochemistry and Psychology (2004) from the University Of New Mexico. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree (2009) from the University Of New Mexico School Of Medicine. Following his MD degree he completed 3 years of Internal Medicine residency and 1 year as the first Quality and Patient Safety Internal Medicine Chief Resident at the University of New Mexico School Of Medicine. He went on to complete 3 years of training in the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program at the University of New Mexico School Medicine. After completion of his training he stayed on as an attending physician within the division of cardiology at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center.
Personal Statement
Growing up and training in New Mexico has given me a unique insight into the specific healthcare needs facing this state. My background has helped me develop a passion for treating the cardiovascular diseases that affect the people of our state and for training our future healthcare providers. I am an early career clinical cardiologist and my clinical areas of specialty include heart failure and advanced cardiac imaging. I am currently in the role of medical director of our HF program which aligns well with my previous training and interest in healthcare related quality improvement. This area of specialty is further explored by my research interest pertaining to clinical trials involving heart failure.
Areas of Specialty
Structural and Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging (Echocardiography and Nuclear Cardiology)
Heart Failure
Certifications
Board Certified in Internal Medicine Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease Board Certified in Echocardiography Board Certified in Nuclear Cardiology
Achievements & Awards
Gold Humanism Honor Society 2010
Resident Unsung Hero Award 2011
Hospital Medicine Outstanding Diagnostics Consultant 2018
Gender
Male
Languages
- English
Courses Taught
“Heart Failure Review and Update” 21st, 22nd, and 23rd Annual Update and Review of Internal Medicine. Santa Fe, NM
“Heart Failure” UNMSOM Phase I Cardio/Pulmonary/Renal Block
“Diagnostic ECGs” UNMSOM Phase I Cardio/Pulmonary/Renal Block
“Outpatient Heart Failure Review and Update” Family Medicine resident conference
“Introduction to Heart Failure” Cardiology Fellows Core Curriculum
“Heart Failure and Palliative Care” UNMHSC Palliative Division Conference
“COVID 19 and Cardiovascular Implications: Project ECHO Critical Care
“COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Complications” Cardiology Fellows Core curriculum
“COVID 19 and Cardiovascular Implications” New Mexico Ultrasound Society
“Echo Assessment of the Left Ventricle” New Mexico Ultrasound Society
"Common Problems with Stress Echo” New Mexico Ultrasound Society
“Echo Evaluation of Prosthetic Valves” ” Cardiology Fellows Core Curriculum
“Aortic Stenosis” Cardiology Fellows Echo curriculum
“Low Flow Aortic Stenosis” Cardiology Fellows Core curriculum
“Sleep Apnea” Cardiology Fellows Core curriculum
“Cardiology Consultation” Cardiology Fellows Core curriculum
“Clinical Reasoning” Cardiology Fellows Core Curriculum
Research and Scholarship
I am involved in several clinical trials. I am the local site primary investigator on the SPIRRIT-HFpEF trial (Spironolactone Initiation Registry Randomized Interventional Trial in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction) and I am a co-investigator on the LOFT-HF trial (The Impact of Low Flow Nocturnal Oxygen Therapy on Hospital Admissions and Mortality in Patients with Heart Failure and Central Sleep Apnea). I have recently completed participation as the local site primary investigator on the CONNECT-HF trial (Care Optimization through Patient and Hospital Engagement Clinical Trial for Heart Failure).