Dr. Lyssa Ochoa is a board-certified vascular surgeon and founder of the San Antonio Vascular and Endovascular Clinic (The SAVE Clinic) in South San Antonio. The mission of The SAVE Clinic is to reduce the number of diabetes-related amputations in San Antonio, which occur in rates up to 3 times the statewide rate in some of the city’s most underserved and socioeconomically challenged zip codes. Because diabetes-related amputations are a complex population health problem, Dr. Ochoa believes the educational approach of CAST Schools will help create the future leaders to solve it. “This epidemic requires leaders to thoroughly understand a community’s strengths and challenges and develop tailored solutions. CAST Med creates the opportunity to develop dynamic leaders who will help forge a better future for our city.” Dr. Ochoa was born and raised along the Texas-Mexico border and attended medical school, general surgery residency, and vascular surgery residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX.
The Centers for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) Network is a tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service code. CAST Schools are partnership schools with a focus on STEM careers, project based learning and work-based learning. Key partners include public school districts, higher education institutions, and local employers from target industries.