Originally from Cleveland, MS, Dr. Hinojosa moved to Texas as a child, where she grew up in San Antonio. She knew from a young age that she wanted to be a physician—specifically, a surgeon. Her father is a general surgeon, and she spent much of her free time during middle and high school accompanying him on hospital rounds and visiting with patients at his clinic. These formative experiences encouraged her passion for medicine, and upon graduating from high school, she was honored to receive early acceptance into medical school within the Texas A&M system. She subsequently attended Texas A&M University in College Station, where she graduated summa cum laude with an undergraduate degree in Psychology. Following graduation, she spent time in Costa Rica volunteering with young children as an English teacher.

After returning from Costa Rica, she stayed in College Station for her first two years of medical school at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine. Dr. Hinojosa developed a passion for plastic and reconstructive surgery during an elective course that introduced her to the variety of procedures involved and the unique patient relationships the discipline can foster. She especially enjoyed breast reconstruction and was deeply moved upon having the privilege to be involved in the care of cancer survivors. Thus, with her newfound focus being on plastic surgery, Dr. Hinojosa finished her last two years of training in Temple, Texas, at Scott and White Hospital, earning her medical degree with honors. She fondly remembers her final rotation as a medical student, during which she had the opportunity to work alongside her father, who has always pushed her to be the best doctor she can be.

After completing medical school, she joined a residency program at the prestigious University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. The University of Missouri is a pioneer in the integrated plastic surgery residency program, offering residents immediate access to and training within the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery from the outset of medical school. Dr. Hinojosa spent six years there under an “apprenticeship” model, where she had the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of plastic surgery techniques and specialties, including breast reconstruction, pediatric plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery, hand surgery, upper-extremity procedures, and cosmetic surgery. She also spent a significant amount of time conducting research and contributing to the knowledge base within the surgical specialty, focusing on innovative practices in breast surgery, craniofacial surgery, pediatric surgery, and quality improvement measures for patients. She spent her last year of training as Chief Resident, working exclusively with one of the leaders within the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery, who was also a former President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

After graduating from residency, she was ready to return home. Both she and her husband grew up in Texas—Dr. Hinojosa in San Antonio and her husband in Victoria—so Corpus Christi seemed like the perfect place for the family to set down roots. She is both proud and excited to serve patients across South Texas and within the Corpus Christi community.