BROWNSVILLE, Texas – DHR Health Brownsville has announced the appointment of Dr. James W. Castillo, II, MD, FACP, HMDC, as its new chief medical officer.
The brand-new DHR Health Brownsville facility, which officially opened in March 2023, is a three story, state-of-art hospital with 60 beds, a 24/7emergency room, intensive care unit, and six operating rooms.
The facility is located on the frontage road of Expressway 77 between Morrison Road and Alton Gloor Boulevard in Brownsville.
Castillo became a familiar face on TV during the Covid-19 pandemic in his role as Health Authority for Cameron County. He will continue in this capacity.
“It is with great pride that we appoint Dr. Castillo to this position, especially given his familiarity with the community and surrounding areas,” said Dr. Manish Singh, CEO of DHR Health. “His medical knowledge, expertise, and top-notch leadership skills make him a great fit for this position.”
Castillo currently serves as the medical director of DHR Health Hospice and Palliative Care in Edinburg. In this capacity he cares for patients across the entire Rio Grande Valley.
According to a DHR news release, Castillo, in his new role, will be responsible for leading the practice of medicine, while facilitating an interdisciplinary team approach to the delivery of care.
The news release says Castillo has deep roots in the Valley. He attended elementary school as a young boy in Olmito, a suburb of Brownsville. After completing his medical studies at the University of Miami, School of Medicine, he returned to become part of the first class of residents in the Internal Medicine program at what is now the UTRGV Internal Medicine Residency at VBMC-Harlingen.
Practicing since 2002, Castillo has served in various roles including Medical Director at other health care organizations and served as clinical teaching faculty and program director for graduate medical education. Additionally, he founded the first palliative care service in the Valley, while working at an area hospital.
“As a long time practicing physician in the RGV, I understand the unique challenges that we face and will do my best to foster outstanding health care in our community. I will use all of my talents and experience as a physician and physician leader to further DHR Health’s mission to improve the well-being of those we serve with a commitment to excellence: every patient, every encounter, every time,” Castillo said.
Inpatient and outpatient imaging as well as state-of-the-art laboratory services are currently offered at DHR’s new Brownsville hospital. Castillo said DHR is committed to providing more specialty medical services and high quality health care to the area with innovative and groundbreaking technology for patients.
About DHR Health
Dr. Singh said the mission of DHR is to “improve the well-being of those we serve with a commitment to excellence: every patient, every encounter, every time.”
He pointed out that DHR Health was the first Level 1 Trauma Center in the Valley. He said it provides 24/7 emergency care at the highest level with specialty physicians and surgeons available every day of the year. Its first hospital, in Edinburg, was established in 1997.
Today, DHR is a modern, 500+ bed full-service health system that serves over 300,000 patients annually, with more than 6,000 employees, Singh explained. He said it offers a full-continuum of care in over 70 different specialties and subspecialties.
In addition to its hub in Edinburg, clinics in Starr County, and the new hospital in Brownsville, DHR has a robust clinical research division, Singh said, while its women’s hospital is certified as providing the highest level of maternal care in South Texas.
“DHR Health has revolutionized the health care landscape of the Rio Grande Valley and continues to raise the standard of care and transform the health care delivery model for the benefit of all local residents,” the DHR news released stated.
To learn more, visit www.dhrhealth.com.
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