Biography
Dr. Garcia has been an RN in Texas for over 35 years. Her clinical experience is primarily in the pediatric ICU and primary clinic setting but she also has extensive experience in legal nurse consulting, working for a large law firm in Austin, Texas for many years. She received her Bachelor of Science and PhD in Nursing from The University of Texas at Austin. Her primary research focus is on the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes and childhood obesity with special interest in Latino, family-centered interventions. She is also interested in studying collaborative partnerships between doctorally-prepared nurses with practice-focused degrees and those with research-focused degrees. She believes this collaboration is essential to promote and enhance the generation of evidence needed by practicing nurses and the translation and application of evidence into nursing practice. Prior to coming to Texas State, Dr. Garcia was an Assistant Professor at the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and served as the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program Coordinator.
She joined Texas State in 2021 as an Associate Professor in the St. David's School of Nursing, teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In November of 2023 she accepted the role of Interim Director of the School of Nursing, and became the Director of the School in August 2024. As Director, she has led the successful CCNE re-accreditation of four graduate programs and has implemented a 50% increase in student enrollment in the traditional BSN program. She is currently working with faculty and staff to plan and implement further growth of the school with new programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
She joined Texas State in 2021 as an Associate Professor in the St. David's School of Nursing, teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In November of 2023 she accepted the role of Interim Director of the School of Nursing, and became the Director of the School in August 2024. As Director, she has led the successful CCNE re-accreditation of four graduate programs and has implemented a 50% increase in student enrollment in the traditional BSN program. She is currently working with faculty and staff to plan and implement further growth of the school with new programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Research Interests
The prevention and management of obesity and type 2 diabetes in Hispanic families through family-centered, inter-generational interventions.
Teaching Interests
Quality Improvement and Research Project Proposal and Implementation
Research Methods in Nursing and Health Sciences
Sociocultural/Diverse Aspects of Nursing