Dr. Mario E. Varela serves as the Director of Pharmacy at Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville. Prior to his current leadership role, he served as Clinical Pharmacy Manager, Antimicrobial Stewardship Lead, and Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Specialist. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree with honors from The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy and is board certified in pharmacotherapy.

As an active member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Texas Society of Health-System Pharmacists (TSHP), Dr. Varela has dedicated his career to advancing clinical pharmacy practice and improving patient care. His professional experience spans rural community hospitals, academic institutions, and health-system leadership. With more than 11 years of experience as a clinical pharmacy specialist, he has focused on enhancing the quality, safety, and effectiveness of medication use across diverse healthcare settings.