La Esperanza Clinic Announces New Chief Medical Officer

SAN ANGELO, TX – La Esperanza Clinic has appointed Dr. Josiah Benjamin Ward, DO, FAAP, as its new Chief Medical Officer. 

“Dr. Ward will be an integral addition to a team dedicated to the constant pursuit of excellence," said Dean Munn, CEO of La Esperanza Clinic. "His experience and knowledge will certainly be an asset as La Esperanza Clinic continues to grow. We had a banner year in 2024, as we served more patients than ever before. I look forward to working with Dr. Ward to ensure that our high standards for quality healthcare are maintained while we work diligently to make sure that the citizens of San Angelo and surrounding communities have timely access to the best primary care."

Dr. Ward is a board-certified pediatrician and served 7 years as a physician with the United States Air Force, where he was also the Medical Director of Goodfellow Air Force Base’s Child Development Center.

Following that, he was a pediatrician at Community Medical Associates and Shannon Medical Center. At Shannon, Dr. Ward became one of the Concho Valley's leading providers of virtual medicine in efforts to reduce barriers for patients seeking healthcare.

“La Esperanza’s vision is to foster a healthcare environment where every patient feels valued and respected,” Dr. Ward said. “I am deeply honored to serve as the Chief Medical Officer. Healthcare is evolving rapidly, and La Esperanza Clinic is well-positioned to lead the way in providing value-based, patient-focused care.”

In April, La Esperanza Clinic opened its third location at 34 Buick Street to provide expanded services, increased appointment availability, and access to state-of-the-art healthcare for the community.

“The strength of La Esperanza lies in our incredible team," Dr. Ward said. "Together, we will continue to build a culture of care that prioritizes prevention, wellness, and personalized treatment plans."

Dr. Ward holds a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Pacific Northwest University and completed his pediatric residency at San Antonio Military Medical Center. He is president of the Concho Valley County Medical Society and has received awards such as Preceptor of the Year from Hardin-Simmons University and the United States Air Force Meritorious Service Medal. 

“La Esperanza Clinic has been blessed to have Dr. Marc Wimpee as our Chief Medical Officer for over 18 years," said Dean Munn. "As Dr. Wimpee transitions to part-time, we know that in Dr. Josiah Ward, we have another servant leader committed to the La Esperanza mission."

Dr. Marc Wimpee, MD, served the La Esperanza community as Chief Medical Officer since 2006 and has been instrumental in advancing La Esperanza Clinic's mission to provide quality care to San Angelo and surrounding communities. During his tenure, the clinic expanded its services and strengthened its focus on patient-centered care. As he transitions to part-time, his dedication and expertise will support a smooth leadership transition to Dr. Josiah Ward.

Since 1994, La Esperanza Clinic has been providing health care to over 11,000 residents in San Angelo and the Concho Valley. La Esperanza Clinic has three brick-and-mortar clinics in San Angelo: 1610 S. Chadbourne Street, 35 E. 31st Street, and 34 Buick Street, as well as a Mobile Clinic that travels to rural areas of the Concho Valley. La Esperanza’s mission is to provide quality primary and preventative health and dental care services to all people in San Angelo and the Concho Valley.

For more information about La Esperanza Clinic, call (325) 658-5339 or visit https://www.esperanzahealth.org