Our Leadership

Don Karl

Chief executive officer

Don Karl was named chief executive officer of Las Palmas Medical Center in February of 2016.

For nearly two decades, Karl served as chief operating officer (COO) of Las Palmas Medical Center, where he oversaw day-to-day operations and managed many of the hospital’s expansions—including the emergency department and the intensive care unit.

He also spearheaded the opening of the interventional neurosurgery suite, which is dedicated to advanced procedures and he was instrumental in the conceptualization and implementation of new hospital programs, including bariatric surgery and da Vinci robotic surgery. Karl has also helped recruit new physicians to the hospital to advance the hospital’s care capabilities in various fields. Prior to his role at Las Palmas Medical Center, he previously served as CEO of Healthcare Diagnostic Center in El Paso.

Karl began his career in healthcare more than 30 years ago after earning a bachelor of business administration degree from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. He went on to earn his master of business administration from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas.

Jacob Stercula

Chief operating officer

Jacob Stercula was named chief operating officer of Las Palmas Medical Center in December 2023. Prior to this, Stercula served as assistant chief executive officer at Lake Granbury Medical Center in Granbury.

For the past five years, Stercula has served in administrative roles at Lake Granbury Medical Center, where he provided direct support to several departments, including laboratory, wound care, therapy, radiology, environmental services, and cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, among others. As assistant chief executive officer, Stercula led plans for a $16-million freestanding emergency facility that provided patients access to critical care services, coordinated a $3.5-million catheterization laboratory renovation and oversaw the completion of an upgraded women’s services department.

Stercula earned his master’s degree in healthcare administration and bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Trinity University in San Antonio. He is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Oscar Vega Jr. MD

Chief medical officer

Oscar Vega was named chief medical officer in January 2018. Before assuming this role, Vega practiced Anesthesiology and Pain Management in El Paso for 32 years.

Vega initially obtained privileges at Las Palmas Medical Center in July of 1985. As a practicing physician, he has served in various leadership roles, beginning in 1992 as Chief of Anesthesiology, followed by appointments to numerous medical staff committees, culminating in Chief of Staff in 2000.

Born and raised in El Paso and a graduate of UTEP, he earned his MD at the University of Texas Medical School in San Antonio, Texas.

Christine Walker

Chief nursing officer

Christine Walker was named chief nursing officer (CNO) at Las Palmas Medical Center in January of 2022. Walker brings more than 20 years of healthcare experience in various service lines, including Women's Services, Emergency, and critical care. She previously served as Associate Chief Nursing Officer at St. David's South Austin Medical Center in Austin, Texas.

Walker has also served as the senior director of the Transformation Office at Texas Health Resources in Arlington, Texas. She led system integration, reliable care blueprinting, and patient journey initiatives for the most extensive faith-based, non-profit healthcare delivery system in North Texas.

Walker received a doctor of nursing practice degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, in 2016. She also holds a master of science in nursing/master of business administration and a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Phoenix.

Art Garza

Chief executive officer

Art Garza’s career in healthcare spans over 30 years with the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). As of 2010, Art has served as either a Chief Operations Officer or Chief Executive Officer at various HCA hospitals. He was appointed CEO of Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso, Texas in January 2022.

Art holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from The University of Phoenix and a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He has been a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives since 2008.

Over the years, Art has held board officer roles with various community organizations, colleges, and healthcare specific organizations. Currently, he serves as a board member of El Paso’s Paso Del Norte Health Foundation, the Borderplex Alliance and Workforce Solutions Borderplex. He is also a member of the Southwest Healthcare Executives Association (ACHE). He enjoys serving as a mentor to aspiring healthcare professionals, as well as, promoting careers in health sciences.

With over 30 year’s experience in the healthcare industry, Art’s work history spans across both technical and executive arenas working in fast-paced, for-profit hospital settings. Currently, as Del Sol Medical Center’s Chief Executive Officer, his responsibilities include developing and executing key strategies that enable growth and ensure regulatory compliance, while providing safe and compassionate care.

Alejandro Romero

Chief operating officer

Since October of 2023, Alejandro serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Del Sol Medical Center. Alejandro is a recent graduate of Leadership Osceola, Florida and served as the NFD Hispanic Colleague Network Executive Chapter Sponsor. Prior to relocating to El Paso, TX, Alejandro served as the Chief Executive Officer of HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital in Kissimmee, Florida.

With over 26 years of healthcare experience, Alejandro began his HCA career at Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso, Texas in 2008. Since then, he has been promoted to various leadership roles and in 2015, he joined the HCA West Florida Division as part of the COO Development Program. In 2017, he was promoted to ACOO of Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital in San Antonio, Texas and shortly after in 2019, he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer of Methodist Hospital Metropolitan also in San Antonio, Texas.

A native to El Paso, Texas, Alejandro received his undergraduate degree from University of Phoenix and his EMBA from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Alejandro has a passion for developing and mentoring future leaders and integrating himself in the communities in which he resides. Alejandro enjoys playing pickleball, running and spending time hosting family and friends.

Dr. Malik Merchant

Chief medical officer

Dr. Malik Merchant is a distinguished healthcare professional currently serving as the Chief Medical Officer at Del Sol Medical Center, a respected institution of HCA in El Paso, Texas. With a career spanning 30 years, 17 of which within the HCA family.

In 2021, Dr. Merchant assumed the role of Chief Medical Officer at Del Sol Medical Center, where he has brought his wealth of experience to bear on the hospital's operations. His leadership has been instrumental in aligning medical practices with the highest standards of patient care.

Beyond his clinical expertise, Dr. Malik Merchant is known for his passion for hospital operations and process improvement. His role as Chief Medical Officer allows him to blend his medical knowledge with a strategic approach to enhance the overall effectiveness of healthcare delivery.

Dr. Merchant's commitment to taking great care of patients extends beyond the clinical setting. His leadership style emphasizes a patient-centered approach, ensuring that the community served by Del Sol Medical Center receives the highest standard of healthcare services.

In summary, Dr. Malik Merchant is a seasoned healthcare professional and Chief Medical Officer with a diverse educational background, a passion for hospital operations, and a deep commitment to delivering exceptional quality patient care. His leadership at Del Sol Medical Center reflects a dedication to excellence that positively impacts both the medical staff and the community they serve in El Paso, Texas.

Annie Garcia

Chief nursing officer

Annie Garcia’s career in health care spans in HCA over the past 21 years. She currently serves as the Chief Nursing Officer at Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. Annie has established herself as a dedicated advocate for nursing excellence. Commencing her professional journey at Del Sol Medical Center, Annie devoted her early years to making an impact on patient care. She pursued and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from New Mexico State University (NMSU) and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Currently she serves on the advisory board for UTEP nursing to enhance our academic partnerships and contributes to shaping the future of nursing education and practice.

In 2014, Annie embarked on a transformative chapter in San Antonio, assuming the role of Chief Nursing Officer at Methodist Texan. The call to her hometown brought Annie back to El Paso in 2017, where she assumed the role as the Chief Nursing Officer at Del Sol Medical Center. Since her return, Annie has led her team to numerous clinical triumphs, improve clinical quality and advanced the standards of patient care.

In summary, Annie Garcia emerges as a distinguished Chief Nursing Officer with a history at Del Sol Medical Center. Her commitment to nursing excellence and community well-being, coupled with her educational achievements and clinical successes, reflects dedication to elevating healthcare standards in her hometown of El Paso.