Carlos Gonzales honored as an Arizona Champion

Carlos Gonzales, MD, FAAFP, was recognized as an Arizona Champion by the University of Arizona Office of the Provost. 

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The longtime program honors U of A faculty and staff members “who go above and beyond every day” and are engaged in the community, said Clarisa Robles Parra, chief of staff for the provost’s office.

Four faculty members and four staff members will be recognized at football and basketball games this academic year, she added. Champions are invited to the U of A president’s tailgate during football season and receive game tickets.

Gonzales, assistant vice president of Indigenous Affairs for the U of A Health Sciences New Initiatives and an associate professor in the U of A College of Medicine – Tucson’s Department of Family and Community Medicine, was recently appointed to the Standing Committee on Primary Care at the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine. He has also been elected to be chair-elect of the American Board of Family Medicine.

Gonzales mentors students, regularly presides over Native American blessing ceremonies on campus and continues to care for patients in rural and remote areas. He was praised in his nomination letter as a teacher and mentor among his colleagues and as a physician who has dedicated his career to cross-cultural medicine, border health and access to care for the uninsured and underserved.

Gonzales was recognized at the Aug. 31 U of A football game when his name and photo were displayed on the giant video screen during the Wildcats’ victory over the University of New Mexico. He said the honor took him by surprise. 

“To be acknowledged by your colleagues is always a very special event, especially when you don’t expect it and it comes out of the blue,” Gonzales said. “Then to be honored at a football game, where thousands of individuals can see it, is also overwhelming.”

Gonzales’ children grew up rooting for the Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. He doesn’t make it to games quite as often these days because it’s a long commute from his home in Nogales, Arizona. However, on that night, Gonzales came with his wife, Debbie, daughter Evelinda, son Felip and daughter-in-law GiGi. His three granddaughters, Bella, Iyla and Emmili, were also in attendance.

It was a special moment when the announcement came during the third quarter.

“My wife, granddaughters and children were very supportive and came over and gave me hugs when the picture appeared,” he said. “A current student of mine was sitting a few rows below where we were, and she was completely surprised by the announcement and came up and gave me a hug, which was very gratifying. I was overwhelmed with the acknowledgement by the University of Arizona.”