Dr. Arroliga named chair of internal medicine at COM, Scott & White HealthCare

(TEMPLE, TX) — The Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine and Scott & White Healthcare announce the appointment of Alejandro C. Arroliga, M.D., F.C.C.P., F.A.C.P., as chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine for the college and Scott & White. With the appointment, Dr. Arroliga, former interim chair and a professor of medicine, now holds the Dr. A. Ford and Brooksie Neil Boyd Wolf Centennial Endowed Chair in Medicine.

As chair of the Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Arroliga leads more than 150 physicians and scientists representing 12 medical specialties and sub-specialties in the delivery of patient care and directs the departmental programs of medical education and research.

“We are delighted and extremely fortunate to have Dr. Arroliga as part of the College of Medicine and Scott & White to head our Department of Internal Medicine,” said Christopher C. Colenda, M.D., M.P.H., Jean and Thomas McMullin Dean of the HSC-College of Medicine. “During his time as interim chair, Alex has exhibited tremendous leadership and a passion for our academic mission. He is the right person at the right time for our respective institutions.”

“As the recipient of multiple awards, Alex is recognized among his peers as a leading physician, researcher and educator,” said Alfred B. Knight, M.D., president and CEO of Scott & White Healthcare. “This appointment acknowledges his role as a medical leader within our academic medical center with a demonstrated commitment to our three-fold mission.”

Dr. Arroliga, a specialist in pulmonary and critical care medicine, is a nationally and internationally recognized authority in the management of lung diseases and critical care medicine. He has focused his patient care on acute respiratory failure, pulmonary hypertension, ronchogenic carcinoma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and emphysema. His expertise spans two continents, with prior medical leadership roles in his native Nicaragua.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve Central Texas,” said Dr. Arroliga. “My main interest has been the education of younger generations of physicians, providing medical care of the highest quality in a safe environment and continuing the research efforts that are a priority for the College of Medicine and Scott & White.”

Dr. Arroliga earned his M.D. with honors from Veracruzana University, Veracruz, Mexico. He completed a pulmonary and critical care fellowship at the Yale University School of Medicine following his residency at Coney Island Hospital in New York City.

The author of more than 200 papers, book chapters, reviews and abstracts, Dr. Arroliga is an active member of the American Thoracic Society, the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Medical Association, American College of Physicians and the Society of Critical Care Medicine.

Dr. Arroliga joined the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine faculty and Scott & White medical staff in 2006 following more than a decade with the Cleveland Clinic.