GUSTINE — After 43 years of solo practice, Dr. Pattabiraman Iyer has welcomed a new partner to his clinic at 581 4th Ave., marking a new chapter in local healthcare with the arrival of Dr. Jose Garcia.
Garcia, a West Side native, said returning to the region was both a personal and professional decision. “I was born in Modesto and grew up in Newman,” he said. “I went to UC Merced for undergrad in human biology, then to Kansas City University for medical school. I was fortunate to do my clinical rotations back in the Valley, in Fresno.”
Garcia completed his residency through UCSF Fresno and recently earned board certification. He said his decision to return was driven by a desire to serve the community that shaped him.
“Family was a big driver,” Garcia said. “But also, growing up, I saw a lack of Spanish-speaking physicians and a gap in care—not in quality, but in communication. That really motivated me to come back and serve the community.”
The partnership between Garcia and Iyer began unexpectedly. “I met his brother at a birthday party,” Iyer said. “He mentioned Jose was a doctor and might be interested in joining my practice.”
Iyer had been searching for a new physician since his nurse practitioner retired three years ago. “Medicine has become more corporate. The day of the solo community physician is slowly passing,” he said. “It takes someone special to want to join a solo practice.”
Garcia said he had always hoped to find a practice in the area. “It’s not for everyone,” he said. “But I was always looking for practices close to home. When I heard Dr. Iyer was looking, I thought it was a great opportunity.”
The two physicians share a commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes in the region.
“We’re always trying to optimize the clinic and keep it up to industry standards,” Garcia said. “I’m fresh out of residency and board certified, which means I’m trained in up-to-date, evidence-based medicine. Every day, we’re working to build a better practice and better patient care.”
Iyer said one of the practice’s strengths is its ability to see patients quickly. “In some places, new patients wait two to three months,” he said. “Here, it’s usually within two weeks—sometimes even the same day.”
With Garcia on board, Iyer said they’ll be able to reduce wait times even further. “There’s only so much one person can do,” he said. “But with two of us, we can better meet the demand and improve the patient experience.”
The practice is also exploring new services, including cosmetic treatments like Botox and fillers, to meet growing local demand.
“We’re trying to make small changes and add-ons to serve the community better,” Garcia said.
Both doctors emphasized the importance of collaboration and continuous learning. “It’s not just me teaching him because I’ve been here forever,” Iyer said. “Life is constant learning. We can learn from each other and deliver better care.”
Garcia said empathy, passion and competency are key to good medicine. “You have to meet patients where they are and help them achieve their goals,” he said.
Despite the challenges of rural medicine, Iyer said he has no plans to retire. “I like what I do, and I’m in good health,” he said. “We’re planning to grow the practice and serve more patients.”
Garcia said he’s grateful to be part of a clinic with a strong legacy. “Dr. Iyer is trusted by his patients and loved,” he said. “It’s an awesome opportunity that happened organically.”
With their combined experience and shared commitment, the practice is poised to make a lasting impact on West Side health.
