Dr. Lisa Graham-Garza

Dr. Lisa Graham-Garza has brought more than 25 years of achievement in healthcare, community development, philanthropy, and leadership across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. A graduate of Texas A&M University, she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the UT Dental Branch in the Texas Medical Center and practiced general dentistry throughout the Houston area.

Today, Dr. Graham-Garza is dedicated to educating the next generation of healthcare providers. She serves as part-time faculty at the UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, mentors female students pursuing careers in dentistry and medicine, and is developing a curriculum that prepares future dental professionals to provide quality care for patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).

After many years serving the Houston and Katy areas through private practice and dental education, Dr. Graham-Garza cofounded Autism Rescue Angels, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, in 2014. The organization’s mission is to aid individuals with autism, ages 15 and older, throughout adulthood. For more than a decade, she has served the organization on a 100% pro bono basis, driven by a passion rooted in her own family’s journey after her son, Tyler, was diagnosed with autism at the age of two in 2004.

Dr. Graham-Garza recently joined Beth Wolff Realtors as a residential and commercial real estate agent and donates a percentage of her earnings to Autism Rescue Angels, further supporting the organization’s mission. Dr. Graham-Garza is also passionate about promoting literacy, particularly helping mothers of children with special needs become stronger advocates for their families.

She is also the co-author of The Fluffy Bunny with Autism, written with her older son Ryan. The book shares the experience of having a sibling with severe autism, with proceeds benefiting Autism Rescue Angels.

Dr. Graham-Garza has been an active member of numerous professional and civic organizations, including the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry, Association of Fundraising Professionals, and the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities. She has also served in leadership and volunteer roles with several nonprofit and community organizations, including F.E.A.T. and the World Autism Organization.

Her commitment to service has earned numerous honors, including recognition as one of Houston Woman Magazine’s 50 Most Influential Women (2020–2021), the 2024 Top 20 Impact Maker Award for Houston, and an invitation to serve as a professional speaker for the University of Houston Women’s Studies Table Talks in 2022.

Dr. Graham-Garza resides in Katy with her husband, Dr. Rick Garza, an endodontist. Together they have two grown sons, a beautiful daughter-in-law Alisha, and three beloved grand-dogs.

Dr. Lisa Graham-Garza is committed to improving access to high-quality care for people with disabilities and older adults, reducing the stigma surrounding autism, advancing mental health awareness, and driving meaningful systems change.