TCU is proud to introduce Gary C. Pérez, DMSc, PA-C, as the founding director of the new Physician Associate (PA) Studies program in the Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences. With a distinguished military background and an extensive career in medical education, Pérez brings a wealth of experience, passion and vision to his new role.
A Life Shaped by Military and Medicine
Born in Alaska and having lived around the world, including a childhood stint in Iran before the fall of the Shah, Pérez’s life has been deeply shaped by his father’s military service, as well as his own.
Pérez spent 25 years in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, where he served as a combat medic and eventually became a PA. His experience in the military, including over 150 parachute jumps as a U.S. Army paratrooper, nurtured his fascination with science and medicine, and ultimately directed him toward a career in health care.
It was during his time as a combat medic that his interest in becoming a PA solidified.
“I worked with a PA who provided medical care to my unit and decided I wanted to pursue a career in that field,” he recalls.
That decision set him on a remarkable path, blending service and education in the pursuit of better health care for all.
An Esteemed Academic and Professional Journey
Pérez’s academic credentials are as impressive as his professional achievements. He earned his Bachelor of Science as a physician associate from the University of Oklahoma and later completed a master’s in physician assistant studies at the University of Nebraska.
His specialization in orthopaedics came through the U.S. Air Force Orthopaedic Surgery Residency for Physician Assistants.
Most recently, he attained a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) from the University of Lynchburg, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning and growth in the medical field.
Dr. Pérez's military career culminated in distinguished service with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and the Air Force Special Operations Command, where he retired in 2005.
Transitioning to academia, Pérez found his passion for education. He served as the founding clinical director for the Florida International University (FIU) PA program and as associate director of the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) PA program. His last academic role was at the University of Oklahoma PA program, where he served as director before joining TCU.
Bringing Vision to TCU
Pérez’s decision to join TCU stems from the university's strong reputation for excellence and its student-centered culture.
“One of my career goals was to start a PA Program at a major, quality university,” he says, and aligning perfectly with TCU’s vision, it has provided the perfect platform for him to achieve that dream.
In his new role, he envisions not only building a nationally recognized PA program but also contributing to TCU’s outreach initiatives and fostering a culture of collaboration across campus.
“I hope to become an integral and valuable member of the TCU team,” he shares, emphasizing his commitment to creating a program that produces highly competent and compassionate health care professionals.
A Commitment to Future Generations
Pérez’s educational philosophy is rooted in hands-on, active learning, a strategy he plans to implement in the new PA program at TCU.
His research interests focus on admissions processes and improving active learning techniques to prepare future health care leaders. In the next few years, he aspires to see TCU’s PA program rise to national prominence for its excellence in training Physician Associates who profoundly improve patients’ access to quality healthcare.
At the heart of his work is an unwavering commitment to student success, striking a balance between encouragement and rigor.
“I am completely committed to the TCU mission of being student-centric, and I will do everything I can to make them successful,” notes Pérez. “However, they will have to meet established standards.”
Looking Ahead
As Pérez begins his tenure at TCU, he is eager to contribute to Harris College’s mission and to the broader university community.
Pérez is poised to make a lasting impact at TCU, building a Physician Associate Studies program that not only educates but inspires the next generation of health care professionals to serve their communities with competence and compassion.