Mark T. Dela Cruz, MD

Mark Dela Cruz, MD, is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Geriatric Medicine, seeing patients at the Eisenhower Health Center in North Palm Desert. Dr. Dela Cruz received his medical school degree in the Philippines before relocating to the United States.  He then completed two residency programs: the first in Clinical and Anatomical Pathology at the University of Missouri and the second in Family Medicine at Mercy Health Partners/ St. Vincent Mercy Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. Dr. Dela Cruz continued his training by completing two fellowship programs:  in Geriatric Medicine at the University of Louisville, Kentucky and in Palliative and Hospice at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

Dr.  Dela Cruz grew up in medical family – physicians, nurses – influences that led him to pursue a medical degree. Originally, he was interested in the subspecialty of pathology, but missed the patient interaction. “While pathology is a great field, I realized that I didn’t want to spend my career in a lab, and I needed something broader. Family medicine made sense as it focuses on a wide range in ages –birth to death, really,” states Dr. Dela Cruz. “As a Family Medicine physician I have been able to work in newborn care and palliative care.”

With regard to his relationships with patients, it’s all about establishing trust. “I make it a priority to know what is important to my patients and understand their lifestyle,” Dr. Dela Cruz comments. “When necessary, I can be directive, but generally I aim to empower my patients and establish an open, communicative partnership as it relates to my patient’s health care.”