ABOUT ||| RGC
Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Dr. Rafael S. Garcia-Cortes forged a path of academic excellence, earning a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, before delving into the intricacies of medicine and obtaining his Doctorate degree. His journey took him to the prestigious Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri, where he honed his skills in Internal Medicine, Adult Cardiology and Heart Transplantation, later earning a Master's degree in Population Health Sciences. Throughout his career, he has published numerous peer-reviewed medical articles and has been lauded as an excellent physician. However, it is through his debut award-winning novel, Catharsis, that the full breadth of his artistic talents is revealed. A suspense/psychological thriller with a stunning blend of magical realism and medical expertise, the novel paints a brilliant portrait of his beloved Puerto Rico. Now residing in Indianapolis area with his family, he continues to inspire and captivate readers with his masterful and irreplaceable storytelling.
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Internal Medicine Residency (2012), Adult Cardiology Fellowship (2016), Advanced Heart Failure | Transplant Cardiology Fellowship (2017) and Master in Population Health Sciences (2017)
Washington University in St. Louis – School of Medicine | Barnes-Jewish Hospital
University of Puerto Rico-School of Medicine
Medical Doctorate Degree (2009)
Graduated magna cum laude
Final Medical School Class Rank: 10th (Top 10%)
University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez
B.S. Electrical Engineering (2005)
Graduated summa cum laude
Final Engineering Class Rank: 1st (Top 1%)
Centro Residencial de Oportunidades Educativas en Mayagüez (CROEM)
High School Degree
Graduated top 10%
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Catharsis awarded the prestigious “The Isabel Allende Most Inspirational Fiction Book Award – Spanish (Silver)” by the International Latino Book Awards (ILBA)
Indianapolis Monthly Top Doctors List - Cardiology (2022 and 2023)
2023 Castle Connolly Top Hispanic & Latino Doctor
Catharsis awarded Maestría Certification (2022)
Knowlton Incentive for Excellence Award by the Division of Medical Education at Barnes-Jewish Hospital (2014)
Selected as Chief Resident of John Cochran – VA Hospital in St. Louis / Barnes-Jewish Hospital Division (2011-2012)
Inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha (ΑΩΑ) Medical Honor Society, University of Puerto Rico Chapter (2008)
Biography | photography published in the national Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) calendar 2006
Inducted to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) Alumni Hall of Fame 2005
George Simon Ohm Award, Electrical Engineering Department Award, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez (2005)
General Engineering Faculty Award, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez (2005)
Luis Steffani Raffucci Award, Chancellor’s Award, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez (2005)
General Motors scholar for academic performance (2004)
Boeing Co. scholar for academic performance (2002-2005)
Ford & HSF scholar for academic performance (2002-2005)
Kimberly Clark scholar for academic performance (2002)
National U.S. American Scholar Award’s Winner, Dean’s selection (2002)
National Collegiate Minority Leadership Award’s Winner, Dean’s selection (2002)
“Navigating my name can be quite the adventure—it’s lengthy and often gets misspelled. But I like to keep things simple. To my dear friends, I’m Rafa. When it comes to my patients, I’m Dr. Garcia. For fellow readers, Rafael Garcia or RGC works perfectly fine. And for my beloved mom, I’m always Rafaelito.”
→ Literature (@Catarsis full details)
