Gervacio D. Diaz, III, M.D.

Just What the Doctor Ordered...

For the last 10 years, Dr. Diaz, specializing in internal medicine, has developed a successful practice in the the city of Modesto, CA. The doctor attributes much of the success to his staff, who have all been with him for more than 5 years, hard work, and sound financial planning. Dr. Diaz has also been an avid cyclist for the last 3 years.

Born in New York, Gervacio, known as Gerry, and his family lived in the Philippines for years. His father, a surgeon and surgical oncologist, donated land in the Philippines for a school to be built. Keeping this generous spirit alive, Dr. Diaz and his wife now help to send several kids, ranging from elementary to college, to school each year.

Medicine, family and cycling are his passions. Today, Dr. Diaz cycles several days a week, "but that wasn't always the case", he shared in our interview. Several years ago, the long hours and pressures of working in medicine, mixed with family responsibilities, left Dr. Diaz feeling tired much of the time. After long days at work, he wanted nothing more than to lounge on the couch at night. His wife, Maridol, seeing the effects this was having on him, knew that things had to change and hired him a personal trainer. Although Dr. Diaz had been on the varsity for basketball, tennis and track, his lifestyle had caused him to stop exercising or doing sports. Looking for a sport that he could do by himself and work around his unpredictable hours, he choose cycling. He has never looked back...

As a physician practicing Internal Medicine, many of his patients come to him suffering with ailments aggravated by a sedentary lifestyle. Dr. Diaz finds that it is much easier to encourage them to loose weight and become more active now that he has done it himself. He understands that it can be difficult at first, remembering back when he could only do 12 to 15 mph and had a hard time keeping up with others.

It wasn't long before the people around him began to see the change as his body grew stronger and he began to feel better. Today, Dr. Diaz rides 2 to 3 times a week and covers from 25 to 30 miles. Occasionally, he participates in longer rides of 60 to 100 miles in length. His staff joins him once a week for a ride and his wife is also beginning to cycle with him in the countryside around Modesto.

During his childhood, Dr. Diaz told me that his father encouraged him to work for the things he wanted. In cycling, Dr. Diaz has worked very hard and has been greatly rewarded from his effort. He is an inspiration that it is never too late to change.