Watch the full 2011 interview as he reflects on his career at UT Health San Antonio.
A trailblazer for the next generation of surgeons.
When asked who in his life influenced his distinguished career, UT Health founding faculty member Dr. Anatolio Cruz answered, “I have to hand it to my parents.” With a smile he added, “They said ‘just do it. And if you find it worthwhile, give it your best effort.’”
In a medical career that spanned over 60 years, Dr. Cruz indeed gave his best effort to everything he did. As a decorated military surgeon, pioneering surgical oncologist, clinical investigator, educator and mentor, he brought his exceptional intelligence and determination to “always do the right thing” to advance the art and science of medicine.
In 1966, “the right thing to do” for Dr. Cruz was coming to San Antonio and helping transform an empty pasture into a world-class medical school.
“Why are you going down there? There is nothing there…”
Dr. Cruz responded to a colleague’s skepticism by saying, “that is precisely why I am going…it’s the opportunity of a lifetime…to build a new medical school.” To the benefit of thousands of medical professionals and patients in San Antonio, and ultimately across the globe, Dr. Cruz and his fellow “hard-charging, young, impetuous surgeons”, as he called them, relentlessly pursued their vision and laid the foundation for a center of academic excellence.
“To see what has blossomed, to see what you see now: nothing can beat that.”
Anatolio B. Cruz, Jr. MD, FACS, Founding Faculty member; 1933-2023
A legacy continued: 365 surgeons and counting.
Dr. Cruz trained more than 365 surgeons over the course of his career, and with the Dr. Anatolio and Rosalina Cruz Endowments, he will continue to impact the training of surgeons for generations to come.
After his passing in 2023, his daughter Dr. Raquel Bono, his spouse, Rosalina Cruz, and his eldest grandson, Corey Cruz honored Dr. Cruz and his legacy of excellence in academic medicine with a gift of $2M to the Long School of Medicine Department of Surgery. Funds will support the growth of surgical education programs including a lecture series/conference to promote innovative education and research; support for the development of women surgeons, leadership training programs, and mission trips to the Philippines to provide surgical treatments for children in need (where Dr. Cruz spent his formative years), and two scholarships to 4th-year medical students with an interest in surgery.
UT Health San Antonio is grateful for the generosity and vision of Dr. Cruz’s family. Their gift is a fitting tribute to Dr. Cruz and the founding faculty who gave their best efforts to create a world class medical school out of an empty field.
More about Dr. Cruz and his work.
