Daniel Morilla, M.D., experienced early in life the important work that comes with serving in the medical field. Raised alongside six siblings in New York by his mother, a nurse with Irish-American heritage, and his father, a general surgeon originally from the Philippines, he gained an interest in medicine at a young age. Then, during high school, his family went on a medical mission trip to the Philippines. The impact of the trip and observing his mother and father in action solidified his interest in becoming a doctor.
“I’ve always been service oriented, and I liked the idea of serving through medicine,” says Dr. Morilla. And this passion for serving others shows in his work and dedication to patient care.
With a career as a doctor in mind, he was accepted to and attended University of Notre Dame, where he received his bachelor’s degree before heading to medical school at New York Medical College. He knew med school was a significant investment, and not long after 9/11, driven by a desire to serve his country and the opportunity for financial assistance for medical school, Dr. Morilla joined the army, where he continued his medical training and developed an interest in urology and, in particular, cancer treatment.
Following graduation from medical school, he completed his 6 year residency at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he honed his skills as a urologist and surgeon before moving to El Paso to work at William Beaumont Army Medical Center.
“Having trained in robotics, I wanted a hospital that was active in robotic surgery, which brought me to William Beaumont Army Medical Centering ,” says Dr. Morilla, who soon felt at home in El Paso. “I met my wife here, and I really like the city and its people. It’s now home for me. I also like that there is a large active-duty and veteran population here. I feel a special connection when caring for those individuals.”
Now, as he wraps up his military service and moves into private practice, Dr. Morilla is excited to join the RGU team. “The partners who are here offer a lot of experience and expertise to the community,” he says.
He’s also excited about RGU’s capabilities in offering complex cancer care locally here in El Paso. “A lot of my interest is in treating cancers of the urinary system. I’m glad to be joining a group that is forward-thinking and pursuing additional options for treatment and care in this area,” he said.
Dr. Morilla’s specialties include general urology, stone disease, erectile dysfunction, prostate disorders and infertility. He is skilled in endoscopic surgeries, vasectomies, and minimally invasive surgeries, including laparoscopic and robotic surgeries.
Dr. Morilla and his wife have a son, and when not at the hospital, he enjoys his time with his family, as well as getting outdoors to hike, run, and play tennis and golf.
