Mega Doctor News
EDINBURG, Texas – It’s a sobering reality: An average of 11 people die and another 22 suffer nonfatal drowning injuries every day in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That equates to more than 4,500 lives lost to unintentional drowning each year.
Even more alarming, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5 to 14.
In a drowning emergency, every second matters.
Without oxygen, the brain can begin to suffer irreversible damage in as little as four to six minutes, dramatically reducing the chances of survival and recovery.
“When a child is submerged, there is no time to wait and see what happens. The lack of oxygen caused by drowning can quickly lead to brain injury, cardiac arrest and death,” said Santos Cantu, MD, a pediatric and emergency medicine physician and medical director of the emergency department at South Texas Health System (STHS) Children’s. “Immediate rescue, CPR and emergency medical care are essential. The sooner oxygen can be restored to the brain and vital organs, the greater the chance of survival and recovery.”
On Friday, August 21, 2026, STHS honored three Edinburg Police Department officers whose quick thinking and decisive actions helped save the life of a young child.
Earlier this year, patrol officers Luis Hernandez, Luis Saenz and Victor Duberney responded to a call involving a 2-year-old child who had been pulled from a swimming pool unconscious and unresponsive.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the officers transported the toddler directly to the specialized pediatric emergency department at STHS Children’s while administering CPR throughout the drive.
“I’ve always taken the department’s training very seriously, and this isn’t the first time I’ve had to provide lifesaving aid to someone in distress,” said Duberney. “Because of that, I was able to rely on my training, experience and ability to remain calm under pressure to help this child.”
Upon arriving at STHS Children’s, the toddler was met by a specialized pediatric emergency team that quickly continued lifesaving interventions and successfully revived the child.
“The outcome was made possible in large part by the officers’ immediate response and determination during those critical moments,” said Dr. Cantu. “Their actions reflect the courage, compassion and professionalism demonstrated by first responders every day. By acting without hesitation, they helped give this child the best possible chance for recovery.”
After nearly two weeks in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at STHS Children’s, the child was discharged with minimal long-term effects.
For their heroic response, the officers received the STHS Hometown Heroes Award during a special ceremony at the Edinburg Police Department. The award recognizes first responders across the Rio Grande Valley whose actions have made a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Attended by STHS Children’s leadership, members of the care team who treated the child and Edinburg Police Chief Jaime Ayala, the event celebrated the officers’ bravery, compassion and commitment to public service, qualities that played a vital role in the child’s remarkable recovery.
“The child’s recovery is a powerful example of what can happen when first responders and healthcare professionals work seamlessly together,” said Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer of STHS Edinburg and STHS Children’s. “The officers acted decisively during a critical situation, ensuring the child received advanced pediatric care as quickly as possible. Their efforts, combined with the expertise of our emergency and intensive care teams, helped make this extraordinary outcome possible. Today, a family can look forward to the future because of the actions taken that day.”
While grateful for the recognition, the officers say knowing the child is alive and thriving is the greatest reward.
“When you put on the badge, you hope you never have to face a situation like this, but you train for it every day,” said Saenz. “The real reward is knowing this child has the chance to grow up, make memories with his family and enjoy a bright future. That’s what matters most.”
“At the end of the day, this was a team effort between first responders and the incredible staff at STHS Children’s,” added Hernandez. “We’re grateful we were in the right place at the right time and that this child has the opportunity to grow up and live a full life. That’s what matters most.”
For more information on STHS’s Hometown Heroes Award, or to nominate a hometown hero, visit southtexashealthsystem.com.
