Hometown Healing: Local Doctors Bring Healthcare Home to Victoria
9/19/2025
In the heart of Victoria, just steps from the classrooms at Texas A&M University–Victoria, a powerful story of hometown healing is unfolding. It’s not simply the opening of the new DeTar Medical Group Primary Care Clinic – East that marks this milestone—it’s the return of two local physicians, Dr. Angela Rodriguez and Dr. Mark Gonzalez, who chose to bring their skills, compassion and commitment back to the community that shaped them.
As graduates of the DeTar Family Medicine Residency Program, Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Gonzalez could have pursued their careers anywhere. Instead, they stayed rooted in Victoria, now leading the primary care clinic housed in Texas A&M–Victoria’s Health & Wellness Center. This clinic is more than a building—it’s a homecoming.
“This isn’t just another clinic opening,” said Dr. Rodriguez. “It’s a homecoming. We’ve cared for these families before, during our training — now we get to do it with even more support, in a space built for the long haul.”
For Dr. Gonzalez, each patient represents a thread in a greater community tapestry.
“I promised that wherever I matched into residency, I would stay there for the rest of my life to give back to those who gave me the opportunity to accomplish my dream,” he said. “Family medicine is the front line of medicine, and at its heart is the community we serve.”
They didn’t just want to be good doctors—they wanted to help fix real problems they saw during training, like people not having a ride to the clinic or not being able to get care without an appointment. “When we were in residency, we didn’t just learn medicine,” Dr. Gonzalez reflected. “We learned from the people. We saw the health gaps. Opening a clinic right here, at the heart of campus, helps bridge those gaps.”
Mentorship That Matters
Guiding them through this journey was Dr. Daniel Dugi, faculty in the resident program, who emphasized relationship-based, high-touch care.
“They’ve shown a real commitment to treating the whole patient, not just the diagnosis,” Dr. Dugi observed. “Mark and Angela both have a deep respect for this community, and they’ve taken that sense of purpose into every interaction. I have no doubt their clinic will be a model for what compassionate, community-based care should look like.”
“Dr. Dugi really pushed us to go beyond the clinical checklist,” Dr. Rodriguez added. “He taught us how to listen deeply, how to be present. That kind of care is what builds long-term health.” Now, as practicing family medicine physicians, Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Gonzalez care for patients at every life stage—from newborns to great-grandparents—and share a profound privilege in doing so.
“It’s like seeing puzzle pieces come together,” Dr. Gonzalez said. “Every family member gives me a deeper understanding of my patient and their needs.”
Driven by Personal Experience
Dr. Rodriguez' path to medicine was shaped early, when her mother defied medical expectations after a serious accident.
“My mom was told she would never walk again,” she recalled. “But after 13 surgeries, therapy, and a lot of faith, she did. Watching that made me realize I wanted to help others the way her care team helped her.” That drive fuels her personalized care. “I take my cue from my patients and meet them where they are,” she said. “Their success is my success. We celebrate every improvement, and if we’re not reaching our goals, we work together to get there.”
Dr. Gonzalez, too, always felt that healing was his purpose. “I wholeheartedly believe that I am doing what I was meant to do,” he said. “I want to be that doctor who treats the whole family, who knows your birthday, your hobbies, your goals. I want to be that doctor for you.”
On-Campus Convenience, Community Impact
Located inside Texas A&M–Victoria’s Health & Wellness Center, the clinic provides care for the broader community and campus population. It’s a vital resource designed for ease of access and continuity. “As a former college student, I know how easy it is to put off your health,” said Dr. Rodriguez. “We want students to feel comfortable walking in—whether it’s for mental health support, a physical, or something more urgent.”
Dr. James Nelson, interim president of Texas A&M University–Victoria, highlighted the transformation that represents: “Students will now be able to walk out of class and into a clinic run by doctors who understand their world. That’s not just convenient—it’s transformational.”
Beyond immediate care, both physicians are invested in long-term health and well-being. “We’re not just here to treat sickness,” said Dr. Rodriguez. “We’re here to build relationships that last a lifetime.”
With services ranging from walk-in visits to immunizations and sick visits, the clinic bridges gaps in accessibility and care quality. “We trained under some of the best here in Victoria,” said Dr. Gonzalez. “Now, it’s our turn to mentor, to lead, and to show that staying local can be the most powerful career move a doctor can make.”
DeTar Medical Group Primary Care Clinic – East
Location: 2810 N. Ben Wilson St., Suite 100, Victoria, TX
Phone: 361‑305‑6500
www.detardoctors.com
New patients accepted and walk-ins welcome.
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