Alumni Spotlight: Don Sarmiento ’92

By: McKensie Le Fevre

Don J. Sarmiento ’92: From Texas A&M Biology to a Distinguished Career in Medicine and Service

Meet Don J. Sarmiento, DO, MS, a proud member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 1992, whose journey through the Department of Biology and the Corps of Cadets paved the way for a distinguished career in medicine and military service. Currently serving as a family physician with the Houston Methodist Primary Care Group, Dr. Sarmiento is board-certified by both the ABFM and NBPAS. His commitment to service extends to his time as a Colonel (Ret.) in the U.S. Army Reserves, where he contributed as a Medical Corps officer and Flight Surgeon.

Drawn to Texas A&M for its academic rigor, rich traditions, and leadership training through the Corps of Cadets, Dr. Sarmiento embraced the full Aggie experience. Highlights from his undergraduate years include late-night lab work in Diagnostic Bacteriology, camaraderie with classmates, and mentorship from faculty like Dr. B.G. Foster, whose teachings profoundly shaped his medical career. After graduation, he pursued a successful path that included research, medical school, and decades of service balancing his roles as a physician, military officer, husband, and father.

Today, Dr. Sarmiento reflects on the lasting impact of his Aggie education while inspiring others to pursue excellence, adaptability, and service. He remains deeply connected to the Aggie community through local Texas A&M organizations, mentorship, and family ties, with one daughter in the Class of 2025 and aspirations for the next generation of Aggies to follow in his footsteps.

What inspired you to pursue your degree at Texas A&M University?

A combination of factors …
1) Getting a science or engineering degree from an institution with academic reputation and rigor like Texas A&M
2) Pursuing a unique military preparation/ training experience with a well proven record like The Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University
3) Having college experience beyond academics such as the traditions of Texas A&M, attend sports events like football/ basketball/ baseball, meet/ work with a broad range of people

Can you share a favorite memory or experience from your time in the Biology Department?

Working and meeting fellow classmates during the days/ weekends while taking Diagnostic Bacteriology Fall Semester senior year. We were a small enough group in the class (about 20+ students) and got a chance to know each other beyond the classroom/ lab setting. Having to come in to check our results on what we were growing out/ plating/ identifying in lab during some odd hours/ days certainly made for interesting conversation.

Were there any specific professors, mentors, or courses that had a lasting impact on you?

B.G. Foster, Ph.D. (who had taught a variety of microbiology courses at Texas A&M) had a positive, long lasting impact as a mentor/ teacher. Survived and thrived much of my medical school courses (such as microbiology, immunology, virology) and some post grad medical training (particularly in infectious disease) based on the subject material he ingrained into many of us who took his courses. He had some of the best explanations combined with handwritten graphics that helped visualize concepts particularly in immunology.

Did any research opportunities, internships, or extracurricular activities at Texas A&M shape your career path?

A) Summer Work opportunity with Andrew Patterson, Ph.D. MAY – AUG 1991 (via Plant Sciences
at A&M/ Herman Heep Bldg.) gave opportunity to put much of the classroom and lab classes to
practical work (such as blotting techniques Northern/ Southern/ Western, PCR, Immunoassays).
Dr. Patterson was an excellent mentor on basic science research opportunities.

B) Corps of Cadets – 4 years as a cadet prepared for working with a variety of different people in
a variety of different settings, prepared for working in the military duty settings (clinic/ field/
deployment settings) while also allowing opportunity to explore military medicine/ training
opportunities (like Dept. of Defense Health Professions Scholarship Programs).

What career/academic path did you pursue after graduating from Texas A&M?

Research assistant work at a well-established/ reputable cancer center after graduation from Texas A&M (JUN 1992 to JUN 1993) then matriculating to medical school while also obtaining a commission in a U.S. military service branch (U.S. Army).

Can you describe your current role and how your education from Texas A&M Biology prepared you for it?

My current role is working as a primary care physician (Family Medicine) over past 2+ decades with part time mentoring/ teaching roles in the civilian and military settings. The academic experience provided at Texas A&M (particularly with the MBIO degree) prepared for the academic challenges faced in medical school and post graduate medical education while also reinforcing the ability to “self-learn” (learn/ research about topics and finding approaches to get answers, with real world application to those answers particularly in diagnosing/ treating medical conditions, managing patient continuity of medical care, or day-to-day clinic management in the workplace).

What achievements or milestones are you most proud of since graduating from Texas A&M?

Balancing a professional career with rewarding roles as a husband and father, having a professional medical career with 2+ decade career as a military officer, earning additional graduate degrees and professional certifications.

What advice would you give to current biology students at Texas A&M?

A) Be adaptable to your surroundings, maintaining a desire to learn
B) Achieve a high standard of accomplishment: don’t settle for being mediocre
C) Lead by example at whatever level/ position you have.
D) Be the team player: strive to be that person a group/ organization can depend on especially in challenging times.

How do you stay connected to the Aggie community?

Keeping in communication with TAMU Alum/ Friends even from my undergrad days, involvement/ participation with local Texas A&M Club, involvement/ participation with A&M related associations (such as TAMU Corps of Cadets Assoc., TAMU Assoc. of Former Students), attending sports events, periodic presentations with A&M student groups through TAMU College of Medicine sponsored meetings.

What are your goals or aspirations for the future in your field?

Pass on knowledge/ “lessons learned” (in part time class room or informal settings) to next generation(s) of Aggies such as pursuing research or health profession careers, civilian and/ or military careers (whether active duty or reserve component like National Guard/ Reserves); “Inspire” (LOL!) younger family members to gain admission AND graduate from Texas A&M University…eldest daughter is A&M Class of 2025 (Mays School of Business), younger daughter hopefully Class of 2031, nephew hopefully Class of 2036.