Dr. Nestor de la Cruz-Muñoz Comes Home to HCA Florida Mercy Hospital as Medical Director, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

HCA Florida Mercy Hospital proudly welcomes back Dr. Nestor de la Cruz-Muñoz, Medical Director, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, to its medical staff. His return marks a full-circle moment in a career that began more than two decades ago at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital.

From 1999 to 2004, Dr. de la Cruz-Muñoz served as a general and bariatric surgeon at Mercy Hospital. Since then, he has built a broad surgical practice with a focus on minimally invasive weight-loss procedures and other advanced abdominal surgeries. Now, he returns to the hospital where he first practiced, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the local community. His return comes as HCA Florida Mercy Hospital observes its 75th year of providing care in South Florida.

Dr. de La Cruz-Muñoz provides patients with a range of surgical and non-surgical weight-loss options, including gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and revision procedures. In addition to weight-loss surgery, he treats conditions such as acid reflux, gallbladder disease, hernias, and other complex abdominal issues. His approach combines surgical expertise with long-term support and personalized care to help patients achieve lasting health improvements.

He is board-certified in both general surgery and obesity medicine and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

“Returning to HCA Florida Mercy Hospital feels like coming home,” said Dr. de la Cruz-Muñoz. “This hospital played an important role in shaping who I am as a physician, and I am honored to once again be part of this incredible team and serve the people of Miami.”

“Dr. de la Cruz-Muñoz brings expertise in metabolic and bariatric surgery and a deep-rooted commitment to caring for our community,” said Allyssa Tobitt, chief executive officer of HCA Florida Mercy Hospital. “We are proud to welcome him back and strengthen our ability to offer patients safe, effective options for lasting wellness.”

In his new role, Dr. de la Cruz-Muñoz joins a multidisciplinary team dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of South Florida patients with compassionate, personalized care.

Dr. Nestor de la Cruz-Muñoz, together with the bariatric service line team, will lead a one-mile walk along the bayside at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital on the first Thursday of each month at 8 a.m., offering participants fresh air, scenic views, and an opportunity to take a step toward better health. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 305-285-5092.

 About HCA Florida Mercy Hospital

HCA Florida Mercy Hospital, a comprehensive medical facility serving the healthcare needs of South Florida for 75 years, is a part of HCA Florida Healthcare. The 488-bed, acute care hospital is an award-winning facility that specializes in emergency services that are kid and senior friendly, maternity with level III NICU, general and robotic surgery, hyperbaric and wound care center, cardiology, cancer care, orthopedic and spine, primary stroke center, weight loss programs and more. HCA Florida Mercy Hospital is Miami-Dade’s only catholic hospital and provides patients with the best quality care in a compassionate and caring environment. HCA Florida Mercy Hospital is located in the heart of Coconut Grove, FL with a bayfront property that makes it the only hospital in Miami to be accessible by land, air and sea.

About HCA Florida Healthcare

HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is a family of more than 650 affiliated sites of care, including hospitals, physician practices, freestanding emergency rooms and urgent care centers. As one of the state’s leading healthcare networks, HCA Florida Healthcare’s 11,100 experienced doctors and more than 84,000 colleagues work together to deliver equitable, evidence-based collaborative care through more than 12 million patient encounters annually. HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities it serves. In 2024, the network provided more than $1 billion in uncompensated care and contributed more than $3.7 million to community organizations across the state. In addition, HCA Florida Healthcare offers patients access to highly trained specialists, including the state’s most comprehensive cardiovascular network. A strong advocate for the next generation of healthcare professionals, HCA Florida Healthcare is a leader in in training future healthcare professionals, offering 151 Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs at 27 different hospitals with more than 2,400 residents. For more information, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.