The Department of Veterans Affairs has appointed Froylan “Froy” Garza as the VA Central California Health Care System medical director effective Nov. 16.

Garza, who has served as interim director since September 2024, will oversee the hospital’s $664 million operating budget, leading its over 1,900 staff members.

The system serves over 41,000 enrolled veterans throughout the Central Valley, operating community-based outpatient clinics in Merced, Oakhurst and Visalia, as well as its main Fresno campus, including 63 acute-care beds, a 24/7 emergency department, intensive care unit and inpatient mental health services.

The facility also includes a 60-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation Community Living Center which opened in October 2018.

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Garza to VISN 21 as the new medical center director of VA Central California Health Care System,” said Ada Clark, Veterans Integrated Service Network 21 director. “Given his 16 years of Veterans Health Administration experience, I anticipate excellent leadership and continued commitment to America’s heroes.”

Prior to his appointment, Garza served as executive director for the El Paso VA Health Care System. Prior to that he served at multiple VA medical centers in Texas, Florida and California after beginning his career in 2009.

In his time in El Paso, Garza helped the organization transform its facility from a Tier 1 organization to one of the most improved VA facilities in the nation, improving access, quality of care and staff engagement.

Garza is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt practitioner and graduate of the 2011 VISN 17 Leadership Development Institute, the 2015 VHA Health Care Leadership Development Program and the 2017 Executive Career. Development Program. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science and English and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, Texas.