Pima County welcomes new Public Health Director
by Pima County News on Nov. 28, 2012, under Health, Pima County, Southern Arizona, Tucson, youth
Pima County is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Francisco A.R. Garcia as Director of the Pima County Public Health Department.
Most recently, Dr. Garcia served as the director of the University of Arizona Center of Excellence in Women’s Health, as well as the director of the Cancer Disparities Institute of the Arizona Cancer Center. He is also the Distinguished Outreach Professor of Public Health and Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Arizona.
“Pima County faces unique and unprecedented challenges as we continue to grow, and I look forward to working with many partners throughout the community as together we work to make this County a national model for health and wellness.”
Dr. Garcia’s new role will become effective Jan. 2, 2013.
“Pima County conducted a rigorous search process to identify a medical professional who not only has a solid foundation in the delivery of public health services, but who also has extensive management experience,” said Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry.
“Dr. Garcia’s long-established expertise in public health and clinical medicine will be pivotal as the County continues its work to promote the well-being of the community.”
Dr. Garcia has a B.A in psychology from theUniversityofArizona, where he also attended medical school. He served his residency in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center before developing a second career path in health service administration.
Dr. Garcia received a Master of Public Health in the department of Health Policy and Management atJohnsHopkinsUniversity. He also completed a fellowship in women’s reproductive health at that Baltimore-area university.
An active and successful researcher, teacher and clinician, Dr. Garcia has focused in the area of women’s health and prevention with a unique understanding of medically underserved communities nationally and internationally. A diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, he has been recognized nationally as one of the country’s Top Doctors. He has served on theInstituteofMedicine’s Committee on Women’s Preventive Services. Dr. Garcia currently serves on the steering committee of the Arizona Cancer Coalition and has worked with tribal partners on cancer prevention.
“As a long time resident of the County, my priority to is to help build a community that is attractive and healthy, for the benefit of our residents and families here locally as well as that of our local employers. A healthyPimaCountyis not just good for our common welfare: It is also good for education and good for business.”
Dr. Paul R. Horwitz, an ophthalmologist and the President of the Pima County Board of Health, lauded Dr. Garcia’s unique combination of academic experience and familiarity with theTucsoncommunity.
“The appointment of Dr. Francisco Garcia opens a new and exciting chapter for the Pima County Health Department,” Dr. Horwitz said. “He’s bright, enthusiastic, and will bring a fresh perspective to the department during these challenging economic times.”
