The doctor is home. Again. Orlando DeHerrera, DO, earned his medical degree in Missouri and has spent most of his 20 years practicing medicine in Texas. He is grateful for the opportunity to return to the area where he was born and raised. "The Valley stays in your blood," the 1982 graduate of Antonito High school said. "The Valley is a piece of you, it draws you back."

Dr. DeHerrera Joins Monte Vista Team

Dr. DeHerrera recently joined Cathy McCurdy, PA-C, at the Monte Vista Physician Services Community Clinic. His road there, however, has not always been headed toward medicine. "In college I was an engineering major first," he said. "I started taking courses in the life science building and that was very interesting and so I changed my major over to biology." Friends at the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences encouraged him to apply there. He did and a scholarship in primary care further sealed his choice. "I decided early on that family practice was the direction I was going to pursue," he said, explaining that most osteopaths do go into family practice.

In osteopathic medicine, instead of just treating specific symptoms, physicians concentrate on understanding how all body systems are interconnected and how each one affects the others. They focus special attention on the musculoskeletal system, which reflects and influences the condition of all other body systems. Dr. DeHerrera enjoys this aspect of his practice and also the challenges that come from treating all ages of patients.

Doctor Find Joy in Variety

"You don't know what you're going to see so it is challenging in that respect," he said. "I like the variety of patients – taking care of the young, the adolescents, the young adults and the elderly." He said he also likes being able to take time with each patient. "You can expect to see somebody that will listen to you; I'm a good listener and a problem solver."

Away from work, Dr. DeHerrera and his wife Tish have four children and they like to do outdoor activities together, such as fishing, hiking and camping. He is now accepting new patients and can be reached at 852-9400.