Emory Faculty
Emory Faculty
Jorge Isaac Pena Garcia, MD
Geriatric Medicine - Primary Care, Geriatric Medicine
Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital Campus
5673 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Ste 500, Atlanta, GA 30342About
About Dr. Pena Garcia
Jorge Pena Garcia, MD, is a primary care physician in the Geriatric Medicine clinic at Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital Campus. In 2012, Dr. Pena Garcia graduated from the Universidad Central del Ecuador Facultad de Ciencias Medicas in Quito.
He took an internship in internal medicine at SSM St. Mary’s Hospital-St. Louis and a fellowship in geriatric medicine at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial. He is a geriatric medicine specialist with clinical interests that also include family medicine, preventive care, primary care and adult health.
Hispanic physician serving Hispanic patients
Dr. Pena Garcia, who grew up in Quito, Ecuador, is fluent in both Spanish and English. He feels privileged to take care of Atlanta’s Latino and Hispanic community, as he speaks the language and understands the culture. “I hope that older Hispanic adults will see an opportunity to visit our practice,” he says. “When my Hispanic patients see me, they are thankful they finally are being taken care of by a physician who can understand their culture.”
In his practice, Dr. Pena Garcia believes in educating his patients about their condition. “That is the most effective way to deliver care and to give patients the power to make good decisions regarding their medical care,” he says. He is careful to describe health and medicine using words the patient understands. He provides patients with printed information they can take home, so they can take time to read and share with family members.
Emphasis on family
“I believe it’s essential to have the family involved,” says Dr. Pena Garcia. “When taking care of older adults, it’s challenging because of the age-related changes. That’s why family plays a crucial role in supporting patient decisions. I also find it helpful to get the family’s perspective on how the patient is doing at home.”
His goal is “for patients to feel that our clinic is an extension of their home, with familiar faces and a welcoming environment,” Dr. Pena Garcia explains. “They feel protected, free to express their feelings, and concerns. We want to create a more compassionate environment and patients are already perceiving that.”
Some patients have sent Dr. Pena Garcia thank-you letters. “One commented that they experienced very effective and kind medical guidance during their visit,” he says.
Always improving patient care
Dr. Pena Garcia is focused on integrating the latest medical knowledge into his patient care, based on published medical studies. “I devote time after office hours to make sure that the information I provide is up to date,” he says.
The Geriatric Clinic at St. Joseph’s is also focused on maintaining functional status of patients by screening for geriatric syndromes, among them is sarcopenia, and assessing each patient’s hand strength to determine muscle mass. “By assessing muscle strength, we can determine if the patient has muscle loss,” says Dr. Pena Garcia. “Then we can intervene early by improving nutrition, exercise, and making sure vitamin D levels are within normal limits - a very comprehensive approach to keep elderly patients strong as they age.”
Dr. Pena Garcia is also focused on decreasing the patient’s waiting time. He realizes this can be an issue, so he makes sure to be nearby to see the patient as soon as the nurse has taken vital signs. “This is a very important aspect of our practice,” he explains.
Make an Appointment
Connect with Dr. Pena Garcia by visiting Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital for all of your primary care needs. To make an appointment, call 404-728-6363.
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Emory Affiliation
- Emory Clinic - School of Medicine Faculty
- Emory Healthcare Network
- Emory Physician Group Practice
Academic Title
- Assistant Professor
Academic Profile
Year Started Practicing
- 2019
Locations
Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital Campus
5673 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
Ste 500
Atlanta,
GA
30342
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1459 Montreal Rd East, Ste 305, Tucker, GA 30084Credentials
Education
- Fellowship: Jackson Memorial Hospital, Geriatric Medicine, 2019
- Internship: SSM St. Mary's Hospital-St. Louis, Internal Medicine, 2018
- Medical Education: Universidad Central del Ecuador, MD, 2012
Board Certifications
- Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine, 2018