Ligia M. Alfaro Cruz, MD, MPH

I am a pediatric gastroenterologist dedicated to caring for children with a wide range of digestive health concerns, including abdominal pain, GERD, constipation, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), milk protein allergy, weight loss, diarrhea, and failure to thrive. My journey to medicine began while growing up in El Salvador, where I witnessed the profound impact of malnutrition and the challenges families faced due to limited access to specialized GI care. Those early experiences inspired me to devote my career to improving digestive health and expanding access to care for vulnerable children.

My philosophy in caring for sick children is rooted in compassion, respect and seeing each child as more than their illness. I believe in empowering families with knowledge, support and confidence so they can be active partners in their child’s care. By working together as a team—child, family and healthcare providers—we create the strongest foundation for healing and hope.

Outside of work, I love to spend time traveling, immersing myself in new cultures, playing pickleball, and I'm a huge fan of soccer.