Keynote Speaker

Carlos Ayala, MD
Double Board-certified Otolaryngologist & Facial Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Carlos Ayala is a double board-certified otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon serving the Rio Grande Valley. A Bronx native and military veteran, he dedicated more than two decades to serving in the United States Air Force, including caring for wounded service members in Germany and Afghanistan. During his distinguished military career, he earned numerous honors, including a letter of appreciation from the President of the United States for distinguished service.

Dr. Ayala completed his medical training at UCLA, where he graduated at the top of his class and was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He later completed his otolaryngology residency at Harvard and pursued advanced fellowship training in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery in Beverly Hills.

After retiring from the military in 2013, Dr. Ayala chose to establish his practice in McAllen, Texas, bringing advanced specialty care to South Texas and helping expand access to healthcare in the region. He also helped establish the UTRGV School of Medicine and has served as Clinical Professor of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Ayala remains deeply committed to serving the community through compassionate, personalized patient care.