Carlos Gonzales

Dr. Gonzales is Pascua Yaqui and of Mexican descent. He is a sweatlodge leader and on an annual basis, he participates in the New Pascua Yaqui Easter ceremonies. He received his MD from the UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson where he later became an Associate Professor with Family and Community Medicine in addition to serving at the Assistant Dean for Medical Student Education/Curricular Affairs. He also played key roles as the Director of the Rural Health Professions Program and the Director of the Commitment to Underserved Peoples. Dr. Gonzales is intimately involved with the Societies Learning Communities, where he is 1 of 20 mentors for medical students at UArizona, COM – Tucson. Dr. Gonzales has received numerous awards including his recent Legendary Rural Health Professions Program Director Award from the Arizona Rural Health Association. Recently, Dr. Gonzales was appointed to the Standing Committee on Primary Care at the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine. This committee is charged with developing a strategy to enhance the filed of primary care within the U.S. health system.

Dr. Gonzales is the Associate for Indigenous Affairs for the Global MD program. He coordinates, with other members of the team, required clinical clerkships for participating students in locations across Arizona, with an emphasis on rural locations and Native American sites. He has developed a strategy to build consensus with the UA colleges as well as other health partners regarding the benefits and potential of the Global MD program for them as well as for the State of Arizona. He works closely with many of the tribal leaders in Southern Arizona as well as internationally with the University of Western Australia and their Indigenous leaders. They will develop a strategy to allow for a coordinated student experience including transitions among campuses. Carlos is also tasked with developing the Indigenous medical education curriculum which includes the onset input from tribal communities from Arizona as well as Australia.