Dr. Diego Garza takes a multi-faceted approach to public health

Now senior vice president of strategy and innovation at Mindpath Health in Durham, North Carolina, his journey into public health and health care began at age 11, when his grandmother experienced serious health issues. He was impressed by the medical professionals they encountered, and this difficult time instilled an early desire to “heal” people, which evolved into a lifelong commitment to improving public health.

During his medical training, Garza observed that many working on the front lines of public health did not have specific training in the field, but he saw the promise in a public health approach.

“My question was, how do I use my clinical skillset to increase access to high-quality services?”

Garza’s broad base of experience is evident in his work. “I think about it from any and every angle,” he says. As a board member, he adopts a strategic perspective, encouraging collaboration among different stakeholders. “The true magic happens when all stakeholders start working together.”

Some of his most significant contributions have been in the area of telehealth. His work to develop telehealth services in Mexico highlighted the importance of tailoring interventions to specific populations. “There are overall frameworks we can apply for everyone. But for outcomes to be improved, we need to take a deeper dive into what influences the behaviors of your population,” he said. This open-minded and adaptable approach fueled subsequent success in developing telepsychiatry services for people across N.C. and the United States. “I designed a program to treat 400 people per month, originally, and now we treat more than 100,000,” he said.

Garza’s dedication to education and mentorship is another cornerstone of his career. A proud alum of the Gillings School, he remains actively involved, mentoring students and participating in School initiatives. “I want anyone and everyone to feel that the School is for them and that they can thrive in that environment,” he says. Garza’s efforts to support international students and ensure the School considers global applicants have been particularly impactful.

When asked about his advice to current or potential students, Garza emphasizes the importance of leveraging one’s strengths and getting involved in local initiatives. “Our field belongs to all of us, and it affects all of us,” said Garza. “Be aware of your limitations but get everything you can out of your strengths.”

His journey from a young boy inspired by his grandmother’s health struggles to a leader in public health is a testament to his dedication and innovative approach. Garza’s work continues to bridge the gap between clinical practice and public health, making a significant impact on communities locally and globally.

“I bring the public health perspective to every aspect of my job, trying to understand my populations better to better tailor effective strategies that address the main issues or challenges,” Garza said. Overall, my experience supports a holistic view of public health as a shared responsibility that requires collaboration across disciplines and sectors.”

_“Trato de analizar todo desde la perspectiva de la salud pública, y trabajo para entender mejor a las poblaciones a las que estamos intentado ayudar para poder crear estrategias que realmente ayuden a resolver los problemas de esa población,” dijo Garza. _

"Creo que mi experiencia trae consigo una visión en la que la salud pública es responsabilidad de todos y requiere de colaboración entre los diferentes sectores.”

“La pregunta principal era como hacer uso de mi entrenamiento clínico para incrementar el acceso a servicios de salud.”

“Quiero que todo el mundo sepa y sienta que esta escuela es para ellos y que pueden ser exitosos en esta industria.”

“La salud publica nos pertenece a todos y nos afecta a todos. Entiende tus limitaciones, pero aprovecha al máximo tus capacidades.”