Dr. Joy A.

Before attending the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, Dr. Alvarado earned a BA in English with a minor in race, class, and health from the University of Texas at Austin. She also completed a Master of Health Science in molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She later completed her family medicine internship at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center before serving as a physician and Captain in the United States Army. During her military service at Fort Cavazos, she worked as an Acting Brigade Surgeon, battalion surgeon, and primary care physician.

Throughout her career, Dr. Alvarado has remained deeply committed to service, mentorship, and healthcare accessibility. While in medical school, she co-founded her institution’s first student-run clinic serving an underserved South Texas colonia community. Dr. Alvarado has also contributed to research and medical writing on topics including obesity hypoventilation syndrome, cricothyroidectomies, lipid management, and healthcare disparities. Her work has been published in journals including American Family Physician, CHEST, and the Journal of Student-Run Clinics. She has also contributed essays and commentary on medicine, surgery, and physician experiences through Doximity and the Association of Women Surgeons.