Dr. Juan A. Guerrero

July 11, 2023, age 49. Beloved husband of Dr. Andrea Alvarez. Dear father of Natalia Guerrero. Son of Emilio (Diane) Guerrero and Susan Orlando. Son-in-law of Augustine and Consuelo Alvarez. Brother of Anna Wetzel. Step-brother of Evon, Renee, Annette, Shannon and Kim. Special uncle of Isabella Wetzel and Austin Hoene. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends.
Visitation Saturday, July 29th at the Harder Funeral Home from 10:00 am until time of Memorial Service at 12:00 pm.
A board-certified transplant hepatologist, Dr Guerrero dedicated his life to the care of the most complex patients for the last twenty-three years - those with end stage liver disease and liver transplants. He was an integral part of the programs' growth and excellent outcomes leading to its recognition in the Spring of 2023 as the best liver transplant program in the US by Interlink Health. 2,358 patients received a second chance at life through liver transplant during his tenure. Juan played a critical role in the Institute's living liver donor program, as he was the first physician to meet with most donors at their initial evaluation visit. His contributions were key to his program becoming the first to perform a living liver donor paired exchange, grow to be the second largest program with still, the top survival outcomes in the USA particular joy of Juan's was the Institute's New Braunfels liver clinic which he founded and passionately ran for many years. He also served as the Transplant Institute's transition hepatologist. In this capacity, he cared for older teens and young adults who were in a challenging phase of life already, made more so by their transplant. His approach to care and easy manner helped guide them into the increased responsibilities needed to be a successful adult recipient.
Juan earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Wisconsin in 1995. He stayed there to complete Medical School, where he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and a Dean's Scholarship recipient until graduating in 1999. He moved to San Antonio to complete his Internship and Residency at University of Texas Health San Antonio where he was selected by the UTHSA medical student class of 2002 as the Medicine Resident of the Year in recognition of his display of excellence in clinical teaching and mentoring
It was in 2001 during his residency that he met his future wife Andrea Alverez who was a medical student at the VA. Andrea and Juan joyfully welcomed their daughter, Natalia twelve years ago. Natalia was Juan's best-buddy and those who worked with him at the Transplant Institute knew his pride and love for her, as they repeatedly were updated on her every accomplishment big or small. Natalia and Juan shared a passion for sports in general and the Green Bay Packers, Brewers and Spurs in particular. Natalia studied games and scores to prepare for their discussions to go over plays and upcoming games. The family shared a deep love of dogs, especially Martin their 17-year-old cocker spaniel, about whom the veterinarian would say "was only alive because of love." Juan was a 'homebody,' a true private soul whose favorite way to spend free time was at his house, cooking, grilling and watching sports.
After his residency, Juan joined the hospitalist team providing care at University Hospital. He completed his Clinical Fellowship in Gastroenterology in 2006, inspired by Dr. Vincent Speeg, who became not only his mentor but was a father figure to Juan. Juan so admired Vince that Andrea joked she probably knew more about what Vince's day was like, than his Vince's own wife. At Dr. Speeg's retirement ceremony only a few weeks ago, he noted that although there were hundreds of people to acknowledge for their role in his own fulfilling career, he was most honored to have done this work alongside Juan Guerrero for the last two decades. Dr. Speeg said he will always cherish their professional and personal relationship. Juan's initial work as a hospitalist proved to be a critical link to the development of now two, Transplant Medicine teams focused on liver and kidney transplant care.
Juan's scientific acumen paired with his unrelenting determination to make lives better for patients with liver disease drew him to research and he initiated multiple clinical trials over the years to seek better ways to advance the care of patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. He often chaired the weekly multidisciplinary Liver Selection Committee, where decisions about patients' candidacy for transplant are discussed by the multidisciplinary team. Juan was an ideal man to serve in this role, as his approach to these decisions was always one of grace, advocating for even the most challenging of patients to encourage the committee to give them more time or to more deeply understand their difficult social situations.
Dr. Francisco Cigarroa shared "Dr. Guerrero was always a steady hand in the management of patients and contributed immeasurably to the education of medical students, residents, and fellows. A gentle and humble spirit, he was the epitome of dedication and compassion to his patients and peers." Patricia Jones, Executive Director of the Transplant Institute shared his easy-going nature made him a joy for all to work with, sharing that "even Juan's angry, was sweet."
While Juan's role in giving 2,358 people renewed lives through the second chance of transplant is a remarkable impact, his influence is truly immeasurable through the staff he has inspired to dedicate their own careers to liver transplant, those he has mentored and shaped as medical students, residents and fellows now caring for people all over the country; through the innovative medications and treatments his research led to, and through his best buddy Natalia his most proud accomplishment.
He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will be everlasting.