About us
Our Mission is to provide compassionate, patient-centered primary care that promotes wellness, prevents illness, and empowers the Rio Grande Valley community to live healthier, fuller lives. We combine clinical expertise, evidence-based medicine, and personalized care to meet the unique needs of every patient we serve.
Our Vision is to be the leading primary care clinic in the Rio Grande Valley, recognized for excellence in patient care, medical education, and community health. We strive to foster a healthier community by delivering accessible, high-quality, and comprehensive healthcare for all.
Meet the Team
Dr. Carolina Gomez de Ziegler
MD FAAFP
Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician, Diplomate of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Dr. Carolina Gomez de Ziegler is a Board-Certified Family Medicine physician and a Diplomate of the American Academy of Family Physicians with over 20 years of medical experience in both inpatient and outpatient care.
She earned her Medical Degree from the Universidad Central de Venezuela in 2001 and completed a residency in Pathology in 2005. For ten years, she served as a faculty member in the Histology and Embryology Department at the School of Medicine in Venezuela before relocating to the United States in 2017 to continue her medical education. She completed her Family Medicine Residency at the UTRGV Family Medicine Residency Program at Knapp Medical Center and graduated from the Academic Medicine Fellowship at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in 2022.
Dr. Gomez de Ziegler has extensive experience in both academic and clinical settings. Since 2020, she has served as faculty in the Family Medicine program at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, becoming Associate Program Director in 2021. She was appointed Chief of Family Medicine at Knapp Medical Center in 2023, where she continues to provide leadership in patient care and medical education. Over the course of her career, she has contributed to the training of eight cohorts of medical students in Venezuela and 30 Family Medicine residents in the Rio Grande Valley.
Her professional interests include preventive medicine, geriatric care, women’s health, and chronic disease management such as diabetes and hypertension. She is especially passionate about delivering integrated, compassionate care with a focus on underserved populations.
Beyond her clinical and academic roles, Dr. Gomez de Ziegler is dedicated to guiding patients through every stage of their health journey. She emphasizes heart health, lifestyle balance, and mental well-being—encouraging nutrition, quality sleep, regular exercise, and mindfulness to help patients live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
She resides in McAllen, Texas, with her husband and their three daughters, who are her inspiration and source of strength.
Gerardo Munoz Monaco
MD FAAFP MBA
Chief of Staff, Knapp Medical Center | President, Texas Academy of Family Physicians – Rio Grande Chapter.
Dr. Munoz Monaco is a Board-Certified Family Medicine physician and a Diplomate of the American Academy of Family Physicians. With a steadfast commitment to advancing primary care and medical education, he has made significant contributions to the field of medicine and the communities he serves.
Dr. Munoz Monaco earned his medical degree from the Universidad de Carabobo in Venezuela in 2004. Relocating to the United States in 2006, he furthered his training as a Research Fellow in the Department of Public Health at the University of South Florida. He completed his Family Medicine Residency at Indiana University – Methodist Hospital in 2013, where he honed his clinical expertise and dedication to patient-centered care.
Following residency, Dr. Munoz Monaco joined Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he practiced Family Medicine at Forest Manor Medical Center for five years. During this time, he also served as a faculty member at the Indiana University School of Medicine, helping shape the next generation of physicians through mentorship and teaching.
In 2017, Dr. Munoz Monaco relocated to the Rio Grande Valley, where he assumed the role of Associate Program Director for the Family Medicine Residency Program at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Medicine and Knapp Medical Center. His leadership culminated in his appointment as Program Director, during which he successfully guided the training of over 36 Family Medicine physicians, significantly enhancing the region’s healthcare landscape.
Dr. Munoz Monaco also served as Division Chief of Primary and Community Medicine at UTRGV and Lead Physician for the UT Health RGV Accountable Care Organization, where he championed evidence-based practices and high-quality care for patients with acute and chronic conditions. Currently, he holds the position of Chief of Staff at Knapp Medical Center and serves as President of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians – Rio Grande Chapter, advocating for excellence in family medicine across the region.
Beyond his clinical and leadership roles, Dr. Munoz Monaco has pursued advanced professional development, earning a Certificate from the University of North Texas Academy, completing the National Institute of Program Directors Development, and obtaining a Master’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in Healthcare from The Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship at UTRGV.
A passionate advocate for primary care, quality metrics, and evidence-based medicine, Dr. Munoz Monaco is also an avid runner, reflecting his dedication to health and resilience. He resides in McAllen, Texas, with his wife and three children, where he remains deeply committed to serving his community both as a physician and a leader.