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Dr. José Luis Ayala
DPM | Foot and Ankle Specialist
Languages: English & Spanish
Location: Brownsville, Texas
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Dr. José Luis Ayala
Dr. José Luis Ayala is a highly respected foot and ankle specialist and Chief Medical Officer with a long-standing commitment to the health of the Rio Grande Valley community. Since moving from Puerto Rico to Brownsville in 1995, he has devoted his career to providing advanced, compassionate care while leading medical teams at some of the region’s most recognized hospitals and clinics.
At Valley Baptist Medical Center Brownsville, Dr. Ayala served as Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs, overseeing key service lines such as the Surgical Services Department, Cardiovascular Service Line, Cath Lab, Clinical Informatics, Medical Staff, Quality and Safety Improvements, Joint Commission readiness, and Infection Control. Under his leadership, the hospital implemented two electronic medical record systems, improved emergency and intensive care workflows, and reduced unnecessary diagnostic testing, all while maintaining a strong focus on patient safety and clinical excellence.
Throughout his career, Dr. Ayala has held multiple leadership roles, including Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery at Valley Baptist Medical Center, Clinical Assistant Instructor in the Department of Orthopedics at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and Chief Medical Officer of Brownsville Foot and Ankle Associates. He has also served as Corporate Medical Director for STAT Health Care, Medical Director at Harlingen Medical Center Wound Care Center and Brownsville Doctors Hospital, and Associate Medical Director for Praxis Clinical Services and Wound Care Group. In 2011, his dedication was recognized when he was named Physician of the Year at Valley Baptist Medical Center.
Education & Board Certifications
- Medical education at Universidad de Puerto Rico.
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine.
- Residency at the University of Illinois School of Medicine.
- Specialized training in Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine, San Antonio, Texas.
- Board-certified in Wound Care / Hyperbaric Medicine.
- Board-certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery.
- Board-certified in Podiatric Medicine.
Academic & Hospital Leadership
- Chief Medical Officer & Vice President of Medical Affairs, Valley Baptist Medical Center Brownsville.
- Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery, Valley Baptist Medical Center.
- Clinical Assistant Instructor, Department of Orthopedics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
- Chairman of the Board, University of Texas Transformation in Medical Education Program.
- Clinical Associate Professor, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
- Corporate and Medical Director roles in multiple wound care and clinical service organizations.
- Physician of the Year, Valley Baptist Medical Center (2011).
Beyond The Clinic
Dr. Ayala is deeply involved in the Brownsville community. He has participated in Brownsville Boys Club softball, martial arts and U.S.A. Amateur Boxing. As a certified Krav Maga self-defense instructor, he regularly offers free seminars focused on women’s self-defense and personal safety. He is a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, Kuk Sool Won and Aikido, as well as an avid scuba diver and licensed pilot.
Patients appreciate Dr. Ayala’s combination of surgical expertise, advanced wound care training and genuine concern for their well-being. Whether he is treating complex foot and ankle conditions, guiding hospital-wide quality initiatives or teaching future physicians, his goal remains the same: to improve lives, one patient at a time.