Classmate Spotlight - Jorge (Neto) Leal

Name: Jorge (Neto) Leal’ 06
Birthday: 09/28/1983
Hometown: Laredo, TX
Currently residing: Laredo, TX
Email: Jelf83@gmail.com

Activities involved in while at Texas A&M: Class Councils, Old Army Gentlemen’s Society, Fish Camp, COSGA, Freshmen Leadership Development Retreat, Texas A&M Foundation Scholar

What is your most memorable Aggie experience? I have two memories that always come to mind. The first one was experiencing Fish Camp as a counselor since I didn’t get to go my freshman year. That was a significant point in my life because just like the freshmen that were there, I got to see how we could all choose our own path and become a better version of ourselves. From that point forward I became more and more involved in Student Activities and never looked back. The other one was getting my Aggie Ring with my whole family. It was an incredible day and it showed me how the Aggie Network always gives back and never hesitates to lend a helping hand.

How has your time at Texas A&M impacted where you are today, personally and/or professionally?
I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science in 2006 and then I pursued a Master of Health Administration from the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Public Health in 2008. I then started my career in East Texas Medical Center in Tyler, where I first served as an Assistant Administrator for one of their hospitals in Gilmer, Texas to six years later where I served as the Chief Executive Officer for two hospitals. I currently serve as the Chief Operating Officer for my hometown hospital, Laredo Medical Center a 326 bed hospital Lead Level III Trauma Center, Stroke Center and Full Cycle IV Accreditation with PCI. In the last two years we have been able to recruit new primary care and specialists, open a Cancer Infusion Center and develop two new Urgent Care Clinics to better serve the community.

Where can we find you when you are not at work? What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend or Sunday afternoon?
When I’m not at hospital I’m spending time with my wife Arlene and our 1 year old daughter Natalia. Natalia keep us very busy and it is fun to see her hit milestones as she grows up (we are currently working on Gig’em Aggies!) On Sunday afternoons I’m usually looking at my fantasy football team in my 12 Aggie friends league.

What would be impossible for you to give up? Not watching Aggie Football! “I’ve seen ‘em lose and, I’ve seen ‘em win, but I’ve never seem quit”