Rafael Armendariz El Paso: The Physician, the Museum, and What People Often Get Wrong

Rafael Armendariz El Paso: The Physician, the Museum, and What People Often Get Wrong

When you search for Rafael Armendariz El Paso, you aren't just looking for one guy. You're actually stepping into a bit of a local puzzle. Depending on who you ask in the 915, the name either belongs to a long-time family doctor, a passionate sports historian, or a family name that has deep roots in the Sun City.

It's one of those local names that pops up in medical directories and city council mentions alike.

The Doctor Behind the Name

Most people looking up Rafael Armendariz El Paso are trying to find Dr. Rafael Armendariz Sr. He’s a DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) who has been practicing in the area for over 30 years. That is a long time to be looking at sore throats and managing blood pressure in one community.

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He graduated from Des Moines University back in 1994. Since then, he’s basically become a fixture in the local medical scene, specifically through his practice, Salud y Vida P.A. He’s got clinics scattered across the city—Gateway Blvd, Shadow Mountain, and North Loop.

But here is where it gets real. If you look him up on Healthgrades or Vital, you’ll see some pretty rough reviews. We’re talking 1.5 stars. Patients complain about wait times and office staff. It’s the classic "old school doctor" struggle where the medical expertise is there, but the modern administrative side feels a bit clunky. He handles a ton of "bread and butter" medicine:

  • Acute upper respiratory infections
  • Pharyngitis
  • Chronic care management
  • Routine physicals

He is affiliated with Sierra Medical Center and Las Palmas, so he’s deeply woven into the hospital infrastructure here.

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The Boxing Connection

There is another side to the Rafael Armendariz El Paso search that has nothing to do with stethoscopes. There’s a Rafael Armendariz who is a massive figure in the local boxing world. El Paso has a rich pugilistic history—think about the legends who have come through here—and Armendariz has been a vocal advocate for preserving that.

A few years back, he was the guy talking to the El Paso Times about opening a boxing museum. He wanted to make sure the sweat and history of local gyms didn't just fade away. If you’ve ever been to a local bout at the Don Haskins Center or a smaller venue, you’ve probably brushed shoulders with the boxing community he represents.

Because people are nosy (honestly, we all are), some searches for Rafael Armendariz El Paso lead into the weeds of public court records. There was a notable family law case involving a Dr. Rafael Armendariz that went all the way to the Court of Appeals in El Paso back in 2009.

It was a paternity and child support dispute (Case No. 08-08-00045-CV). It’s public info, but it’s one of those things that clutters up search results when you're just trying to find a doctor’s office hours. It serves as a reminder that these "local figures" are real people with complicated lives outside of their professional shingles.

Why It Matters for Locals

If you’re trying to book an appointment or just curious about the name, you’ve gotta know which one you’re looking for.

  1. The Medical Rafael: Look for "Salud y Vida." He takes most insurance like Blue Cross, Aetna, and Cigna.
  2. The Community Rafael: Look for mentions in the sports section or historical preservation groups.
  3. The Family Legacy: Sadly, there was a Rafael Armendariz III who passed away in August 2025. You might see recent obituary notices if you’re searching recently.

If you are specifically trying to see Dr. Rafael Armendariz El Paso for a health issue, don't just rely on the 1-star reviews. Call the Gateway Blvd office at (915) 774-8850. Ask if they’ve improved their wait times. Sometimes these older practices get slammed because they see so many Medicaid and Medicare patients that other doctors won't take.

If you’re interested in the boxing history, reach out to local sports historians at UTEP or the El Paso County Historical Society. They often have the latest on where those museum artifacts ended up.

Lastly, if you’re looking for public records, the El Paso County District Clerk’s website is the only place for factual court data. Avoid those "people finder" sites that charge $30 for info you can get for free from the county.

Basically, El Paso is a big city that feels like a small town. The name Armendariz is everywhere, but when it comes to Rafael, he’s either helping you get over the flu or making sure the city’s sporting legends aren't forgotten. Just make sure you’re clicking on the right one.