About
Dr. Maria Najera is a board-certified internist and Fellow of the American College of Physicians. She founded Novara Primary Care in San Antonio, where she grew up nearby in the Rio Grande Valley. Her medical training began at Universidad de Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, where she earned her degree in 2008. During her studies, she completed an undergraduate internship at Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio in 2006.
Dr. Najera completed her Internal Medicine residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center's RAHC program at Valley Baptist Hospital in Harlingen, graduating in 2015. Working with patients managing chronic diseases sparked her deep interest in lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and mindfulness. In November 2020, she earned board certification in Lifestyle Medicine from the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. She also holds membership in the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Her approach treats each patient as a whole person, starting with healthy lifestyle strategies to address the root causes of disease. Outside the clinic, she enjoys time with her husband and three daughters, along with movies, travel, cooking, and exercise. She looks forward to helping each patient find their own path to health.
Education & Training
Medical School
Universidad de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
Residency
Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center- RAHC program at Valley Baptist Hospital, Harlingen, TX
Additional Training
Undergraduate internship at Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio, 2006
Certifications
Languages
English, Spanish
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Najera right for?
Dr. Najera is a strong fit for adults managing chronic conditions such as hypertension or diabetes. Patients interested in nutrition, mindfulness, and lifestyle change as part of their treatment will find her approach especially useful. She works well with those who want a physician to address root causes rather than symptoms alone. Spanish-speaking patients also benefit from her bilingual care. Adults 18 and older seeking preventive care and whole-person wellness fit well in her practice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Najera focuses on chronic disease management, including hypertension and diabetes. She also specializes in preventive medicine and lifestyle-related conditions. Her dual training in internal medicine and lifestyle medicine allows her to address both the clinical and behavioral drivers of chronic illness.
Yes. Dr. Najera holds board certification in both Internal Medicine from the American Board of Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine from the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. She also holds the distinction of Fellow of the American College of Physicians.
Dr. Najera works to identify and address the root causes of chronic conditions. She combines standard internal medicine with evidence-based lifestyle interventions, including nutrition counseling and mindfulness. She generally begins with healthy lifestyle strategies before adding or adjusting other treatments.
Yes. Dr. Najera incorporates nutrition into her clinical practice. She offers whole food plant-based diet therapy as an option for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. This is a core part of her lifestyle medicine approach.
Dr. Najera earned her medical degree from Universidad de Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico in 2008. She completed her Internal Medicine residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center's RAHC program at Valley Baptist Hospital in Harlingen, Texas, graduating in 2015.
Yes. Dr. Najera conducts visits in both English and Spanish. Novara Primary Care also maintains a Spanish-language version of its website for Spanish-speaking patients.
Dr. Najera treats each patient as a whole person. She applies thorough internal medicine principles alongside evidence-based preventive approaches. She seeks the healthiest possible outcome and prioritizes lifestyle as a foundation for care.
Yes. Dr. Najera offers InBody testing, a body composition analysis service, at Novara Primary Care. This tool helps assess and monitor physical health markers relevant to chronic disease and wellness goals.
Doctor profile last updated June 12, 2026