Board of Directors

Meet the people guiding our mission with compassion.

Smiling woman wearing glasses and purple blazer

Donna Martinez, BSN, RN Student, DNP-AGCNS, University of Detroit Mercy

Founder and President, The Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation

Dr. Matthias Loebe, MD, PhD

Founding Board Member, The Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation

Blanca Larson

Founding Board Member, The Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation

Bearded man in cowboy hat and blue shirt

Anastacio “Tacho” Mendez

Board Member, Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation

Smiling male doctor wearing white lab coat

Arvind Bhimaraj, MD, MPH, FACC, FHFSA

Member, Board of Directors, The Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation

Dr. Matthias Loebe, MD, PhD

Member, Board of Directors, The Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation

Dr. Matthias Loebe is a distinguished cardiothoracic surgeon with more than 35 years of experience in heart and lung transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, and advanced surgical care. A native of northern Germany, his journey in medicine began in Berlin and led him to some of the most respected institutions in the world, including the German Heart Institute and Baylor College of Medicine.

Clinical Leadership and Global Impact

In 2000, Dr. Loebe was recruited to Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, to help advance its mechanical circulatory support and thoracic transplant programs. He went on to serve in key leadership roles at both Baylor and Houston Methodist Hospital, where he helped build what became one of the largest lung transplant programs in the world at the time. His leadership during this pivotal period laid the groundwork for expanded access to life-saving therapies and innovative care models.

Commitment to Access and Equity

Throughout his career, Dr. Loebe has remained deeply committed to increasing access to specialized care for patients facing end-stage heart and lung disease, especially in communities where such resources are limited. From Houston to Miami and now Kentucky, he has brought his clinical expertise and leadership to programs that serve both urban centers and rural regions.

A steadfast advocate for equity in healthcare, Dr. Loebe’s work aligns with the mission of The Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation to break barriers in access to care. His commitment to innovation continues to shape the future of transplant medicine and patient-centered care across diverse communities.

Role With the Foundation

As a founding board member of The Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation, Dr. Loebe has been instrumental in decision-making and organizational design. He has helped shape governance, the clinical advisory framework, and program priorities to align with the foundation’s vision for compassionate, equitable access to education, navigation, and advanced therapies in rural and border communities.

His steady guidance strengthens strategy, partnerships, and measurable outcomes—bringing hope, healing, and expert care to families in underserved and rural areas.

Professional Experience

In 2000, Dr. Loebe was recruited to Baylor College of Medicine to advance mechanical circulatory support and thoracic transplant programs. He went on to hold key leadership roles across Baylor and Houston Methodist Hospital, helping build what became one of the world’s largest lung transplant programs at the time and laying the groundwork for broader access to life-saving therapies and integrated, patient-centered care models.

Throughout his career, Dr. Loebe has remained deeply committed to expanding access to specialized care for patients with end-stage heart and lung disease—especially in communities where resources are limited. From Houston to Miami and now Kentucky, he has brought clinical expertise and program leadership to strengthen services across both urban centers and rural regions.

As a founding board member of The Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation, Dr. Loebe has been instrumental in decision-making and organizational design. He has shaped governance, the clinical advisory framework, and program priorities to align with the foundation’s vision for compassionate, equitable access to education, navigation, and advanced therapies in rural and border communities. His steady guidance strengthens strategy, partnerships, and measurable outcomes.

Blanca Larson

Founding Board Member, The Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation

With more than 46 years of professional experience, Blanca Larson serves as president and CEO of the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce and CVB. She leads destination marketing, business advocacy, and regional partnerships that drive tourism growth and strengthen local revenue. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to economic development and community advancement.

Professional Experience

Blanca’s career spans decades of leadership in commercial operations, marketing, and regional development. During her time with CBL and Associates, she managed operations and leasing for Plaza del Sol while contributing to the Texas regional team across Laredo, Beaumont, College Station, and Brownsville. She also led due diligence efforts and safety and emergency planning initiatives.

At Levcor, Blanca directed operations for Plaza del Sol Mall, overseeing leasing, marketing, budgeting, capital projects, and vendor management. Her expertise includes economic development, business growth strategies, NOI/PandL stewardship, facilities and construction oversight, and bilingual marketing—skills that now support and strengthen the mission of The Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation.

Community Impact

Born and raised in Del Rio, Texas, Blanca earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Radio/TV/Film) from the University of North Texas. Her early career in broadcasting at KXAS-TV in Fort Worth and KORO (Spanish-language TV) built a strong foundation in results-driven advertising and communications.

While working at Plaza del Sol Mall, Blanca strengthened merchant recruitment and began her long-standing involvement with the Chamber. Since 2016, her leadership has expanded community events and initiatives that highlight Del Rio’s culture and outdoor assets. Her efforts have contributed to securing $16.1 million in grants and catalyzing $40.3 million in total investment for Laughlin Air Force Base projects.

She continues to champion a balanced approach that supports tourism growth while enhancing overall community well-being.

Role With the Foundation

As a founding board member of The Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation, Blanca plays a key role in shaping the organization’s structure and operational framework. She contributes to governance, board development, fiscal stewardship, and the establishment of clear, measurable goals.

Drawing on decades of Chamber and CVB leadership, Blanca builds cross-sector partnerships with businesses, civic leaders, healthcare organizations, and military stakeholders. She also guides grant and funding strategies while strengthening stakeholder engagement.

Her work supports advancing health equity in Del Rio by connecting the foundation with local, regional, and state leaders—aligning collaborative initiatives with both community well-being and regional economic vitality.

Arvind Bhimaraj, MD, MPH, FACC, FHFSA

Member, Board of Directors, The Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation

Dr. Arvind Bhimaraj is a nationally recognized advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist and the System Director of Advanced Heart Failure for the Houston Methodist Health System. He also serves as Director of the Bradley Z. Naifeh Amyloidosis Clinical and Research Program and Director of Heart Failure Disease Management Services, where his leadership has advanced quality improvement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation in heart failure care.

Clinical Leadership and Innovation

Dr. Bhimaraj earned his medical degree from Gandhi Medical College and a Master of Public Health from the University of Kansas Medical Center. He completed his internal medicine residency at Drexel University College of Medicine, followed by fellowships in cardiology and advanced heart failure/transplant cardiology at leading institutions including the Cleveland Clinic.

Since joining Houston Methodist in 2011, he has held several leadership roles, including Interim Chief of the Division of Heart Failure and Medical Director of the Heart Transplant and LVAD Programs. His work has helped shape nationally recognized heart failure quality initiatives and advanced care delivery systems.

Research, Technology, and Education

Dr. Bhimaraj is an active investigator leading and collaborating on NIH-, Department of Defense-, industry-, and foundation-funded research projects focused on heart failure, transplantation, cardiac remodeling, and immune-genetic interactions.

He has also led the development of integrated EPIC-based data infrastructures and phenotypic-genotypic registries that support machine learning and AI-driven approaches to risk prediction and therapeutic targeting in heart failure.

A TEACH-certified educator, Dr. Bhimaraj is recognized for his expertise in hemodynamics and pressure-volume loop modeling, frequently teaching fellows and presenting nationally and internationally.

Commitment to Amyloidosis Awareness and Patient Advocacy

Dr. Bhimaraj’s commitment to cardiac amyloidosis began during the early stages of heart transplantation for amyloidosis patients before modern therapies were available. He has played a major role in expanding awareness, multidisciplinary collaboration, and education surrounding this disease.

As Director of the Bradley Z. Naifeh Amyloidosis Clinical and Research Program, he established a comprehensive multidisciplinary initiative at Houston Methodist and founded the annual amyloidosis symposium for both healthcare professionals and patients.

In 2017, he also founded a patient-focused heart failure conference and support group that has since evolved into an independently patient-led initiative, along with launching a patient volunteer program at Houston Methodist.

Global Collaboration and Professional Service

Dr. Bhimaraj continues to support international collaborations in advanced heart failure and transplantation through education, mentorship, and program development. He serves as visiting adjunct faculty at Tecnológico de Monterrey University in Mexico, mentoring fellows and supporting translational research initiatives.

He also collaborates extensively with programs in India and internationally through partnerships and leadership roles within the Heart Failure Society of America and the American College of Cardiology.

Role With the Foundation

As a member of the Board of Directors for the Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation, Dr. Bhimaraj brings expertise in advanced heart failure, transplantation, amyloidosis, patient-centered innovation, and global cardiovascular collaboration. His leadership supports the foundation’s mission to improve awareness, education, and access to specialized heart failure care for underserved and rural communities.

Anastacio “Tacho” Mendez

Board Member, Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation

Anastacio “Tacho” Mendez is a dedicated community leader whose life reflects resilience, service, and unwavering determination. With over three decades of hands-on experience, Tacho built his career through hard work and commitment—beginning as a contract security guard for 10 years, followed by 28 years as a welder and foreman in the maintenance department for San Felipe Del Rio CISD. Alongside his full-time role, he also owned and operated Tacho’s Welding Service for more than 25 years, proudly serving his community.

Diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in January 2023, Tacho’s condition progressed to lung failure, leading to his retirement in December 2024. During this time, he was introduced to the Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation, which connected him with support at a critical point in his health journey. After developing pulmonary fibrosis following a COVID-19 infection, it was important to ensure that there was no underlying heart component contributing to his condition. The foundation supported Tacho and his wife through education, self-advocacy, and guidance on navigating the complex evaluation process for transplantation—empowering them with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions.

Role With the Foundation

On January 2, 2025, he received a life-saving double lung transplant—an experience that profoundly shaped his perspective on health, access to care, and the gift of a second chance.

Today, Tacho is thriving and embracing life with renewed purpose. As he works toward relaunching his business, he also brings a powerful and deeply personal voice to the Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation. His journey embodies the strength, hope, and perseverance that define the communities we serve. As a board member, Tacho offers invaluable insight as a patient advocate, inspiring others while helping advance our mission to expand access, education, and life-saving care for underserved populations.