The Faces Behind the Scrubs
Behind every patient success story is a dedicated team of healthcare professionals who bring skill, compassion, and heart to their work each day. In this edition of The Faces Behind the Scrubs, we introduce two remarkable leaders at Citizens Medical Center who are making a lasting impact in the Crossroads community: Dr. Daniel Cano and Meagan Hotz, RN.
Rooted in Community: Dr. Daniel Cano Dr. Daniel Cano serves as Chief Medical Officer and Hospitalist Medical Director at Citizens Medical Center. With more than 13 years at Citizens and two decades in healthcare, his journey into medicine began with a childhood dream that never faded.
“Even when I was a little kid, I told people I was going to be a doctor,” he shared. Though no one in his family worked in healthcare, life experiences consistently affirmed he was on the right path. A Victoria native and graduate of St. Joseph High School, Cano once imagined his career would take him elsewhere. Instead, while finishing residency in Houston, the opportunity opened to return home, a decision that shaped both his professional and personal life. “One of the best things about living and working here is my connection to people,” Cano said. “I know I can practice medicine anywhere, but it’s only here that I can talk to my patients about shared memories of Victoria, of our families, of simpler times.”
Those deep community ties are what he treasures most and what make the difficult days especially meaningful. Outside the hospital, Cano’s focus is simple: family. He and his wife, Veronica, stay busy raising their three children, spending evenings helping with homework and weekends attending soccer games and ballet performances.
His message to the community is clear and heartfelt: prioritize preventive care.
“I wish more people in our community understood how important primary care and preventive health is,” he emphasized. “Citizens offers top-rate care, cutting-edge technology, and most importantly, fantastic staff. Here, no patient is ever just a number, we’re all part of the same great community.”
Leading with Purpose: Meagan Hotz, RN For Meagan Hotz, Director of Surgical Services and Registered Nurse, healthcare has always been about meaningful work and being present for patients during their most vulnerable moments. Her journey began in 2001 on 3 South at Citizens Medical Center, where she quickly discovered her passion for surgical care. Today, with more than two decades in healthcare and nearly four years back at Citizens, she is helping shape the future of surgical services in the Crossroads.
“As a third-generation member of this community, it is incredibly rewarding to care for family, friends, and neighbors,” Hotz said. “I am proud to help grow our surgical program so patients can receive advanced care close to home.” Hotz is deeply guided by the principle of proactive wellness both professionally and personally. “Surround yourself with positive people. Take care of your mind as much as your body, and never underestimate the impact your environment has on maintaining overall wellness,” she advised. “Stay proactive about your health rather than reactive.”
A major influence on her leadership journey has been mentor Maggie Scharr, RN who worked alongside Hotz for 17 years. “She taught me not only how to lead a department, but how to support people, grow teams, and bring calm and direction to even the most challenging situations,” Hotz reflected. “Leadership isn’t about titles or milestones. It’s about people.” On her final day working with Scharr, Hotz received a heartfelt letter filled with encouragement, a moment she still considers one of the most meaningful of her career.
More Than Medicine
Cano and Hotz represent what makes Citizens Medical Center special: clinical excellence grounded in genuine community connection. Their stories remind us that behind every set of scrubs is a person deeply committed to caring for neighbors, friends, and families across the Crossroads. Because at Citizens, healthcare is personal and the faces behind the scrubs are part of the community they serve.