ABOUT US

The staff and associates of Las Colinas ObGyn are dedicated to women's health and wellness. Dr. John J. Zavaleta is the founder and director of the practice which opened in Irving, Texas in 1985. Click below to read more about Dr. Zavaleta and his associates:

• John J. Zavaleta, M.D.
• John R. Hanson, M.D.

JOHN J. ZAVALETA, M.D.

Specialties

• Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair
• Vaginal Reconstruction
• Female Urinary & Anal Incontinence
• Pelvic Muscle Rehabilitation
• Office Hysteroscopy
• Pelviscopic Surgery
• Obstetrics and Gynecology

Credentials

• Fellow, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Board-certified, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Member, Society of Pelvic Reconstructive Surgeons

Education

• BS, Pharmacy – University of Texas, Austin
• Medical School – University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas
• Residency – Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas

At the age of 19, John Zavaleta left Brownsville, Texas to embark on
a journey he still enjoys today: a passion for providing women with the finest
healthcare available.

Dr. Zavaleta graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 1981, and then did his residency at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Although originally educated at University of Texas as a pharmacist, he was interested in doing more to share his passion of helping others. As he developed his career as a physician, Dr. Zavaleta acknowledges how his training as a pharmacist aided him: “The time I spent as a pharmacist provided me with an edge to better counsel my patients on the medicines they were taking. As a result of my time in that field, I have a better understanding of the large array of pharmaceuticals that physicians have at their disposal, and my patients appreciate the expertise I share with them.”

Dr. Zavaleta made the switch to Obstetrics & Gynecology from a desire to work in the field of women’s health, which allowed him to expand into different disciplines. “I really loved the idea of being able to bring new life into this world and every day I get to share that joy with my patients.” I also enjoy working with women in part because they take much better care of their health than men, and because they have special needs which require a certain amount of skill,” says Dr. Zavaleta.

Dr. Zavaleta’s practice has always been distinguished by his concern for his patients and the personal care he provides them. When a patient urgently needs to be seen, she can come to his office at any time and Dr. Zavaleta or his staff will fit her immediately into their busy schedule. “I think my patients understand I truly care about them, and as a result I have developed many long-term relationships with them over the years. Because of the personal connection, I feel a special responsibility to provide my patients only the best care available. I not only get to know the women who come to see me, but their entire families, including their children.”

When Dr. Zavaleta came to Irving to start his practice in 1985, he found a tremendous void in the area of Spanish-speaking OBGYNs. He was amazed to find that he was the only Hispanic OBGYN in all of Irving. “Overcoming the language barrier is such an important issue when trying to communicate about health concerns,” says Dr. Zavaleta. “I’m delighted to be able to provide the Hispanic community of Irving with a staff that can understand what they need and who can answer their questions clearly.” This level of higher communication has created a very devoted patient base that come from all over the Metroplex, often driving long distances to come to his office. “I have seen the problems that a lack of proper verbal communication can create for women, and it’s very fulfilling to help them,” says Dr. Zavaleta. He counts his ability to effectively serve the Hispanic community of DFW as the achievement he is most proud of professionally.

Dr. Zavaleta actively seeks out opportunities to expand his base of knowledge on new programs and procedures, attending several seminars and training sessions each year. Dr. Zavaleta’s outlook for the future of the medical community is very positive, he feels that practicing medicine is his lifelong mission and is passionate about staying at the cutting edge of his field.

Dr. Zavaleta’s personal approach with his staff has been instrumental to the longevity of his practice, but when asked to what he attributes his success, Zavaleta replies, “It’s the ability to listen to my patients. By the time they leave my office I want to have fulfilled their expectations.” That may seem like a common-sense approach, but Zavaleta states he’s amazed by the number of new patients that come to him who haven’t been able to get their needs met. “Part of our job as physicians is to help our patients express what their real concerns are, and sometimes that is very difficult for them to do,” says Zavaleta. “We have to be well versed at asking questions and prompting patients to tell us what problems they are experiencing.”

In his free time Dr. Zavaleta enjoys water sports, and his leisure time usually finds him boating at area lakes. He also enjoys local theater. “There is nothing like watching a good production, locally-produced and featuring actors who are part of the community,” says Dr. Zavaleta, himself an active member of the community.

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