Natalia Galarza was born in Durango, Mexico, but grew up near Yuma, in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora. Inspiring her interest in becoming a doctor was her mother, who works as a family physician in San Luis Rio Colorado. Dr. Galarza attended medical school at Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, located in Mexicali, Baja California. She graduated with honors.She completed her Family Medicine Residency at Yuma Regional Medical Center, where she had the honor of being in the program’s very first graduating class.
She has worked on both side of the international border as a physician, which gives her a first-hand understanding of this region’s unique healthcare challenges. That experience has also inspired her deep passion for Yuma County and the health of its residents. Dr. Galarza says she considers herself an adopted Yuman, as her husband and children are proud Yumans. She believes in Family Medicine as a whole and loves the bond that this specialty allows physicians to have with their patients. As a faculty member serving YRMC’s Family Medicine Program, Dr. Galarza sees her purpose as being there to help the growing program reach its full potential, all while improving the health of the community and advancing family medicine outreach.