Francisco Cigarroa

Francisco G. Cigarroa, MD

Senior Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and Health System

Francisco G. Cigarroa, MD, serves as Senior Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and Health System at The University of Texas at San Antonio. In this role, he oversees the strategic leadership and stewardship for UT San Antonio Health Science Center, including its academic, research and clinical missions, as well as the delivery of patient care through the clinical enterprise.

Dedicated to Public Service

A renowned physician, academic leader and public servant whose career reflects an unwavering commitment to excellence in health care, innovation and service, Cigarroa got his start at Yale University - where he earned his undergraduate degree - followed by his medical degree from UT Southwestern Medical School in 1983. He completed his general surgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), where he served as chief resident, followed by prestigious fellowships in pediatric and transplant surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. During his surgical training, he conducted groundbreaking research on fetal growth factors, in the laboratory of Patricia Donahoe, MD, FACS, at MGH.

Upon completing his training, Cigarroa joined the faculty of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 1995, where he quickly rose to prominence as Director of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Transplantation. He established a multidisciplinary pediatric transplant program recognized for exceptional outcomes in kidney, liver and intestinal transplants and his leadership in this field has had a lasting impact on transplant medicine in South Texas and beyond.

Groundbreaking Contributions within UT System

In 2000, Cigarroa was appointed president of UT Health Science Center San Antonio. His tenure was marked by significant achievements, including modernizing the clinical practice, expanding research initiatives and securing transformational philanthropic support.

In 2009, Cigarroa became chancellor of The University of Texas System, where he championed initiatives that reshaped public higher education in Texas. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Dell Medical School at UT Austin and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and its School of Medicine, securing permanent university funding support for the first time in the history of the Lower Rio Grande Valley focused on Higher Education.

Leading Successful Patient Outcomes

After concluding his tenure as chancellor in 2015, Cigarroa returned to UT Health San Antonio as Director of the Pediatric Transplant Program and, later, Director of the Malu’ and Carlos Alvarez Center for Transplantation, Hepatobiliary Surgery and Innovation. His leadership transformed the center into one of the nation’s most innovative and successful transplant programs, recognized for innovation and exceptional patient outcomes at both the Alvarez Center and the University Health Transplant Institute, which has been recognized as one of the most elite transplant programs in the United States. Upon his departure, University Health Transplant Institute achieved Center of Excellence Designations across kidney, liver, and lung transplantation both in pediatric and adult patients.

Cigarroa’s contributions to medicine and education have earned him numerous accolades, including membership in the United States’ National Academy of Medicine, Mexico’s National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Council on Foreign Relations. He has been honored with the Massachusetts General Hospital Trustees’ Medal and the American Medical Association’s highest award for medical education. He serves on prominent local and national boards focused on education, health, the arts and enhancing the quality of life for those in need.

Education

  • Fellowships in pediatric and transplant surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
  • General surgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
  • MD in Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
  • BS in Biology, Yale University, New Haven CT

Research/Academic Interests

  • Membership in the United States' National Academy of Medicine
  • Membership in Mexico's National Academy of Medicine
  • Membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
  • Membership in the Council of Foreign Relations
  • Massachusetts General Hospital Trustees' Medal
  • American Medical Association's Foundation McGovern Award for Health Education

Distinctions

Cigarroa’s academic and research interests center on pediatric transplant surgery, with a deep passion for caring for children and adults with end-stage organ disease. He is dedicated to advancing surgical innovation, modernizing clinical practice, and promoting collaborative research that improves patient outcomes. His contributions in these areas have earned him recognition as a Clayton Research Foundation Scholar with a focus on developing novel therapeutics for hepatocellular carcinoma affecting patients in South Texas.

Personal

Cigarroa is a third-generation physician whose leadership is shaped by a strong sense of heritage, family and service. Raised in the South Texas region, he brings deep personal commitment and discipline to his work in medicine, education and public service. He is married to Graciela Cigarroa, who is a prominent attorney in health care, and has two daughters, Maria Cristina and Barbara Cigarroa. A passionate classical guitarist, Cigarroa, draws from music the same focus, precision and joy that guide his approach to surgery, leadership and lifelong learning.