Mega Doctor News
As the largest integrated network of healthcare in the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas Health System (STHS) is honored to employ nearly 100 military veterans who follow up their selfless service to country by fulfilling the healthcare needs of patients across the system’s 12 facilities.
Each year, STHS recognizes one of those beloved veteran staff members with its STHS Veteran of the Year award, an honor bestowed upon a longtime STHS staff member who has proudly served in the U.S. Armed Forces and then provided exceptional care to the residents of the Rio Grande Valley.
This year, STHS named Jamaila Lemke, a registered nurse who serves as the manager of STHS ER Alamo and STHS ER Weslaco, as its 2025 STHS Veteran of the Year for helping provide quality, compassionate care to patients during her decade-long career with STHS, which has included working in the emergency room, intensive care unit and stroke department at STHS McAllen and providing emergency care at STHS ER Monte Cristo.
“I’m so honored that my accomplishments are being recognized in this way; It’s very humbling,” says Lemke, who was recognized during a surprise award presentation at STHS Behavioral’s annual A Salute to Valley Veterans Concert & Community Fair this past weekend. “As a veteran, you get used to serving; you don’t do it for the recognition, you do it for love of country. So, I’m truly touched; it’s an incredibly special honor.”
Jamaila, a native of the Pacific Island nation of Palau who attended high school in Hawaii, was working three jobs to earn the money to attend college when she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 2002, believing that serving in themilitary would lead to a world of opportunity.
“The September 11 attacks had happened a year earlier; it was still so very fresh,” recalls Lemke. ”Patriotism was at an all-time high, and I wanted to serve my adopted country, I felt that I had to do my part in the fight in the war on terror. Just the fact that they would allow me to enlist was an honor.”
During her eight years at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Ga., Jamaila worked in satellite communications, assisting with several high-profile national and international SATCOM-related activities, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti in 2010.
She even had the honor of taking part in extensive joint training with the Royal Air Force, the air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, an experience that gave her the opportunity to visit the UK.
“It was an honor to represent the United States and provide support to Americans during national emergencies, as well as help those abroad during their time of need,” says Lemke. “Then going across the pond and working with our Allied forces… I never in my wildest dreams thought that I’d get to travel around the U.S. or visit a different country the way I did.”
Following her service to country, Jamaila moved to the Rio Grande Valley with her family, immediately enrolling in the Associate Degree in Nursing program at South Texas College.
“My mom was a medic and a certified nursing assistant, so just seeing how she took care of people really inspired me to become a registered nurse,” says Lemke, who began her career as a graduate nurse at STHS McAllen in November 2015. “I always knew I wanted to help people in that way!”
After a brief period as a traveling nurse, Jamaila returned to STHS to work as an emergency care nurse at STHS ER Monte Cristo before being promoted to manager of STHS ER Alamo and STHS ER Weslaco a little over a year ago.
“It’s been my world, providing quality, compassionate care to patients. I love being a nurse and caring for people in their time of need,” says Lemke, who is currently enrolled in the RN-to-MSN program at the University of Texas at Arlington. “I’ve been able to experience tremendous growth in my nursing career while learning different ways to help.”
Jamaila’s military experience has been instrumental in the ascent to her current leadership role at STHS, according to her supervisor.
“Jamaila’s military experience doesn’t only demonstrate a steadfast commitment to helping others, but it has alsohelped her develop a strong sense of teamwork—an essential quality in healthcare where coordinating patient care is key to achieving positive outcomes,” says Christen Wirth, MBA-HCM, BSN-RN, CNML, CEN, EMT-P, Director, STHS ER Alamo & STHS ER Weslaco. “During her time in our freestanding emergency departments, she has consistently shown the ability to work under pressure, adapt to changing situations and lead effectively—skills that are vital to her role at STHS.”
STHS proudly salutes Jamaila, and all our staff members who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, for their brave service in defense of our nation’s freedom and their unwavering commitment to the health and wellbeing of the patients who entrust us with their care throughout the Valley.
To learn more about STHS’ commitment to serving the veteran community, visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.
