Froylan “Froy” Garza has been named the new medical director of the VA Central California Health Care System, effective November 16. Garza had served as interim director since September 2024 and will now take on permanent leadership of the hospital’s operations.
The health care system provides services to more than 41,000 veterans in the Central Valley region. It operates community-based outpatient clinics in Merced, Oakhurst, and Visalia, along with its main campus in Fresno. The Fresno facility includes 63 acute-care beds, a round-the-clock emergency department, an intensive care unit, inpatient mental health services, and a 60-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation Community Living Center that opened in October 2018.
Garza will be responsible for managing an operating budget of $664 million and leading over 1,900 staff members.
Ada Clark, director of Veterans Integrated Service Network 21 (VISN 21), stated: “We are excited to welcome Mr. Garza to VISN 21 as the new medical center director of VA Central California Health Care System. Given his 16 years of Veterans Health Administration experience, I anticipate excellent leadership and continued commitment to America’s heroes.”
Before this appointment, Garza was executive director at the El Paso VA Health Care System. He has also held roles at various VA medical centers across Texas, Florida, and California since beginning his career in 2009. During his tenure in El Paso, Garza contributed to significant improvements at the facility by increasing access to care, enhancing quality measures, and improving staff engagement.
