Pima County’s new Public Health Director has been named one of the Best Doctors in America® for 2013.

Dr. Francisco A.R. García, who assumed his post Jan. 2, was notified this week that he was selected for the prestigious recognition, which typically highlights the best 5 percent of physicians in the U.S.

Dr. García, who specializes in cervical cancer prevention, practices at the University of Arizona Medical Center – South Campus. He attended medical school at the University of Arizona and holds a master’s degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University.

This recognition marks the third time Dr. García has earned this honor.

Deputy County Administrator Jan Lesher said the County hit the jackpot when it merged two previous positions – the chief medical officer and the health department director – and recruited Dr. García to be the public face for health issues.

“The Best Doctors list recognizes physicians who are held in high esteem in their respective fields for the quality work that they do, so it’s with great pride that we congratulate Dr. García on the honor,” she said.

Dr. García said he was humbled by the acknowledgement. “It is incredibly rewarding to know so many of my respected peers have recognized me as an expert in the field,” he said.

Best Doctors Inc has been compiling a database of best doctors for more than two decades. Physicians do not pay to be in the listing. Instead, Best Doctors commissions an extensive, biennial and confidential survey of the doctors determined to be the “best” in their specialties, asking for recommendations on which clinicians they would trust to see their own loved ones.

The Best Doctors list will be excerpted in the July 2013 issue of Tucson Lifestyle Magazine.

For more information, please visit http://www.bestdoctors.com/.