Dr Mark Garcia has been appointed Executive Medical Director for the GHA and will now form part of the Executive Team and GHA Board of Directors.
Dr Garcia completed his degree in Medicine in 2009 and then qualified as an Anaesthetist in 2016. Before commencing with the GHA in 2020, Dr Garcia worked in various NHS Trusts including John Radcliffe – Oxford University Hospital.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Garcia played a critical role as co-lead in the COVID-ICU. Dr Garcia is currently also the Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee and Clinical Director of Anaesthetics and Intensive Care.
Dr Elaine Flores has been successful in her application for Deputy Medical Director of the GHA and will work closely with Dr Garcia in improving health care services for our community.
Dr Flores first qualified in 2003 and has almost 20 years’ experience as a General Practitioner, most of which have been with NHS England. Dr Flores joined the GHA in February 2017. During her time with the GHA, Dr Flores has created and developed various services where her leadership and clinical skills have tried and tested; notably, the 111 service where she has been the lead clinician since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to what the 111 service is today.
Deputy Medical Director, Dr Elaine Flores, said: “I am proud to have been offered the role of Deputy Medical Director. Working closely with my colleagues in the medical community we aim to ensure that the highest standards of patient care are met. I am committed to promoting a culture of excellence, innovation and collaboration within the health and social care network to make a positive impact in people’s lives.”
Executive Medical Director, Dr Mark Garcia, said: “It is both an honour and a privilege to accept the position of Executive Medical Director. While the challenges may seem overwhelming at first, one only has to look at the inspirational response to COVID-19 to see the GHA’s capacity for innovation, collaboration and compassionately-delivered, patient-centred healthcare. I look forward to working with colleagues, patients and the people of Gibraltar in the structured and progressive development of services, for the GHA and all who rely on it.”
Director General, Professor Patrick Geoghegan OBE, said: “Both Dr Garcia and Dr Flores have a proven track record inside and outside of our organisation, I am sure the GHA will positively benefit from their steadfast dedication to patient care and clinical expertise. We have used this recruitment opportunity to develop the Office of the Medical Director by recalibrating the role of the Deputy Medical Director to work closer with the Medical Director as a team. I call on the GHA and the wider community to join me in supporting and congratulating Dr Garcia and Dr Flores in their appointments.”
ENDS
