Max Luna, MD, is a cardiologist who specializes in treating coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, arrhythmias, and high blood pressure.

A passionate physician, Dr. Luna thrives on caring for patients and attending to their health and well-being, one patient at a time.

He also teaches clinical cardiology and echocardiography to students and medical trainees.

Dr. Luna grew up in Guatemala, where he earned a medical degree from the University of San Carlos. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Cincinnati and a fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

He is the vice-chair of Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement for the University of Virginia Department of Medicine. He is also director of the UVA Latino Health Initiative. The initiative aims to improve the health of Latinos in Central Virginia and enhance the cultural competency of UVA Health faculty, staff, students, and trainees.

Dr. Luna also helps coordinate the UVA Health Neighborhood Health Program. This program fosters community engagement programming with a focus on equity.

He was co-leader of the UVA COVID-19 and Community Health Equity Working Group and the COVID-19 community testing program. He also worked with the Virginia Department of Health to build trust in the COVID-19 vaccine and ensure fair vaccine distribution. Through these efforts, he earned the Virginia Governor’s 2020 Civic Engagement Award.

He also received the 2022 Dr. Henry Harrison Wilson Jr. Everyday Humanism in Medicine Award from the UVA School of Medicine.

Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine
Vice-Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement | Department of Medicine
Director of the UVA Latino Health Initiative

Expertise

Certification:
American Board of Internal Medicine (Cardiovascular Disease)
Conditions:
Arrhythmias, Coronary Artery Disease Care, Echocardiography, 
Research Interests:
Preventive cardiology, Cardiac imaging, Outcomes research, Cardiovascular diseases in low and middle income countries, High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Clinical Practice: 
Arrhythmias, Coronary Artery Disease Care, High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), Echocardiography
Languages:
Spanish

Education

Primary: University of San Carlos
Residency: University of Cincinnati
Fellowships: Brigham and Women's Hospital