Dr. Ofelia A. Willis, MD

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Get to know Internist Dr. Ofelia A. Willis, who serves patients in Loma Linda, California.

A trusted internist, Dr. Willis has been a staff physician at Jerry L Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital for over four decades. Currently, she holds the title of Chief of the Department of Emergency Medicine and Ambulatory Care.

As such, she has developed various programs to increase quality patient care standards. She is also responsible for in-house training of second and third year internal medicine residents, dental and podiatry fellows, as well as leads the clinical lecture series in the Medical Resident Clinics. 

Among her other titles, Dr. Willis has been serving as the President/CEO & Owner of Food and Fuel and Harold Willis Enterprises since 2011. She owns and manages 15 restaurants, 6 gas stations, and a real estate and development company that includes an indoor shopping mall and strip centers.

With a broad educational background, Dr. Willis graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology/Chemistry from the University of Montemorelos in Mexico. She then went on to earn her medical degree from the University of Montemorelos School of Medicine in 1979. 

Upon relocating to the United States, she performed a rotative internship at White Memorial Medical Center in Los Angeles, California from 1979 until 1980. She then furthered her training with an internship (general rotation of internal medicine specialties) and a residency at Loma Linda University in 1981 and 1983, respectively. During her residency training, she traveled with the open heart surgery team to Saudi Arabia for Cardiology to The Riyadh Military Hospital. 

In September of 1985, Dr. Willis attained board certification in internal medicine through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). The ABIM is a physician-led, non-profit, independent evaluation organization driven by doctors who want to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world.

Continuously advancing her efforts, she is an active member of the American College of Physicians, the American Medical Association, the California Medical Association, and the San Bernardino County Medical Society. She also holds certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS).

An achiever, Dr. Willis has held many positions throughout her extensive career, including: Medical Director of Hospice MD, Goldberg Hospice and Giana Hospice (2015-2019); on the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls (June 10, 2014); on the Medical Board of California (1988-1992); physician within the Department of Veteran Affairs at Jerry L Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital (1983-2015); and Chief of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Jerry L Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital (1983-2007). She has also served as an Associate Professor within the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Montemorelos, and as its Emergency Service Coordinator. 

Holding over 45 years of experience, her research efforts have included the following – epidemiology: dengue distribution in the State of Nuevo Leon, Mexico / prevalence of cleft lip and palate in women with and without prenatal care; nutrition: the effect of the vegetarian diet vs. non-vegetarian diet in cholesterol and weight of medical students; and preventive medicine: cohort study of the morbidity and mortality from gastrointestinal diseases in the State of Nuevo Leon.

Furthermore, she has completed numerous presentations concerning topics such as “Postoperative Complications in the Elderly Patient”, “Diabetes and Renal Failure in the Social Security Hospital”, “Management of the AIDS patient in the Third World Country”, and “Effects of Caffeine in the Pregnant Woman”. 

In addition to her numerous medical and military positions, Dr. Willis is also active in community service and civic contributions. She joined the California Army National Guard on June 14, 2012, was commissioned as a Major in Charlie Co 40th BSB based in Montebell, served as a Brigade Surgeon at the 224th Sustainment Brigade, was deployed to Jordan from January 2018 to May 2018, and served as Division Surgeon 40th ID. 

Her current rank is Colonel, having earned the Army Meritorious Service Medal, and she has been serving as the State Surgeon at JFHQ from February 2021 until now. 

Her other endeavors included serving on the Board of Directors at Flying Doctors of Mercy (1982-1988); a lecturer at the Medical and Nursing Schools of the University of Montemorelos; a lecturer throughout Europe, the United States, and Latin America; a provider of medical treatment to third world countries: a lecturer, construction contributor, and provider of preventive medicine at Hospital-School in Transylvania, Romania; a contributor in the creation of Universities in Tuxtla Gutiérrez and Tabasco, Mexico; a provider at a Nutrition and Health Center in Calpe, Spain; a lecturer in the Canary Islands; and serving on the Board of Directors for the Option House for Battered Women in San Bernardino (1983-1984).

Internal medicine is the medical specialty dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases. Physicians specializing in internal medicine are called internists. They manage and prevent common and complex diseases by providing comprehensive care and promoting overall well-being.

Among Dr. Willis’ various achievements have included Intern of the Year 1980-1981, Loma Linda IM Program; Resident of the Year 1981-1983, Loma Linda University; Col. Charles Stark Award of Exceptional Performance in Medical School; Physician of the Year Award– Loma Linda VA Hospital, 2003; Woman Doctor of the Year Award, Town and Gown Redlands University, 2004; and was honored by the Hispanic Alumni of Loma Linda University, October 2013.

On a more personal note, Dr. Willis is a widow from her husband, Harold W. Willis, a businessman. They have two children – Ryan R. Willis (born 1985) and Samantha O. Willis (born 1987).

Outside of practicing medicine, she enjoys playing musical instruments, running, skiing, and playing soccer. She is active with her church, the Seventh Day Adventists, and supports students globally.

Speaking many languages, she is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, as well as understands French and Italian.

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