Alexander Garza

Dr Alexander Garza is the Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer. According to his DHS bio, "Prior to joining the Department in August 2009, Dr. Garza spent 13 years as a practicing physician and medical educator. He most recently served as the director of military programs at the ER One Institute at the Washington Hospital Center, and has served as the associate medical director of the emergency medical services (EMS) for the state of New Mexico, and director of EMS for the Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department. While practicing medicine he also served as a professor at leading medical institutions including Georgetown University, the University of New Mexico and University of Missouri - Kansas City.

Dr. Garza served in the U.S. Army Reserve and was a battalion surgeon and public health team chief during Operation Flintlock in Dakar, Senegal. He also served as a public health team chief during Operation Iraqi Freedom and as a special investigator and medical expert for Major General Raymond Odierno. He coordinated the development of a Web site that facilitated the donation of more than one million medical books to Iraq. Dr. Garza earned over a dozen awards including the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge."