Alexander Garza MD, MPH is the Associate Dean for Public Health Practice and and Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) and is board certified in Emergency Medicine.
He holds academic appointments in the Epidemiology and Emergency Medicine at the Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice and School of Medicine as well. In addition, he is the Medical Director and Homeland Security advisor for FirstWatch Inc, a data and quality improvement software company in Encinitas, CA focusing on emergency responders.
Prior to coming to SLU, Dr. Garza was appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the US Senate as the Assistant Secretary and Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Homeland Security. He oversaw all aspects of health and security at DHS, was a principal advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security and briefed the White House on health and security issues. Dr. Garza’s career has included working at all levels of emergency response including as an EMT, paramedic, flightmedic, emergency physician, army officer and an EMS administrator. He is a Colonel of the US Army Reserves where he has received numerous awards including the Combat Action Badge and the Bronze Star.
We talk about his start and his honor to serve in the Army and for the President.