Cecilia Garcia Akers is the daughter of Dr. Hector P. and Wanda F. Garcia. Born in Corpus Christi, TX, she graduated from Incarnate Word Academy and attended Del Mar College and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
She is a graduate of St. Mary’s University with a degree in Biology and a graduate of the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston with a degree in Physical Therapy.
Her first job was medical assistant to her father Dr. Hector P. Garcia for ten years prior to completing her physical therapy curriculum.
She served on the Texas State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 12 years and 5 years as Board Chair being appointed by Governors Mark White and Ann Richards.
She was a member of the National Examination Committee for Physical Therapists for 4 years, and has taught as adjunct faculty member at the University of Texas Health Science Center, St. Phillip’s College and Texas State University Physical Therapy programs.
She was Director of Rehabilitative Services for 3 major hospitals in San Antonio, TX and was named Manager of the Year in 1988.
Honors include Outstanding Clinical Faculty Member at Texas State University and recipient of the American GI Forum Women’s Hall of Fame Award.
Currently, she is in private practice in San Antonio, TX specializing in Geriatric Orthopedics and Neuromuscular Rehabilitation.
In 2012 Cecilia was a founding member of The Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Foundation and is serving as Board President/Chairman.
Cecilia was appointed to the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Foundation Board of Directors in October, 2014.
On March 5, 2015 Cecilia presented to the Texas State Historical Association’s Annual Meeting in Corpus Christi, TX: Dr. Hector P. Garcia as a Father, Physician and Role Model.
She currently serves on the J. A Gonzales Education is Our Freedom Foundation Board and the Incarnate Word Academy Board of Directors.
On January 17, 2014 Cecilia was awarded the Humanitarian Award by the NAACP, local chapter Corpus Christi, TX.
She is the recipient of the American GI Forum of South Texas “Standing Up For Veterans” Award on May 12, 2016.
On May 20, 2016 Cecilia presented a book talk and book signing of The Inspiring Life of Texan Hector P. Garcia at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and donated a collection of World War II photographs belonging to Major Hector P. Garcia, M.D. to the Veterans History Project.
She resides in San Antonio, TX with her husband Jimmy, and has a daughter Melina and two grandchildren Savannah and Noah.
