Biography
Max Luna, MD, is a cardiologist who specializes in treating coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, arrhythmias, and high blood pressure. Originally from Guatemala, Dr. Luna 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.
A passionate physician, Dr. Luna thrives on caring for patients and attending to their health and well-being, one patient at a time. At the University of Virginia, he also teaches clinical cardiology and echocardiography to students and medical trainees.
Commitment to Health Protection
Currently, he is the vice-chair of Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement within the University of Virginia Department of Medicine. His leadership extends to directing the UVA Latino Health Initiative, which 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 Program, which fosters community engagement programming with a focus on equity.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he played a pivotal role in the UVA COVID-19 and Community Health Equity Working Group, co-leading efforts such as the COVID-19 community testing program and collaborations with the Virginia Department of Health to ensure fair vaccine distribution and build trust in COVID-18 vaccines. 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.