Mega Doctor News
By Roberto Hugo González / Mega Doctor News
EDINBURG, Texas — Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez encouraged graduates of the DHR Health Registered Nurse Apprenticeship Program to approach their careers with humility, discipline, and a commitment to service during remarks at the program’s fourth graduation ceremony held in partnership with Rio Grande Valley College.
Dr. Hernandez, who serves as mayor of Pharr and is a physician, addressed graduates, families, and faculty during the event, which recognized three new nurses and celebrated the apprenticeship program’s fourth graduating class. The program was created to address the regional nursing shortage through an “earn while you learn” model that combines education with hands-on clinical experience.
Speaking to graduates, Dr. Hernandez acknowledged the time and sacrifice required to complete nursing education. He said many students likely missed family gatherings and social events while focusing on coursework and training.
“You probably missed a lot of quinceañeras and weddings and parties,” Hernandez said. “You probably had your nose stuck in a book, on a computer, or on a phone. But all those are necessary tools to get you where you need to be.”
Hernandez told graduates they were entering a new phase that carries responsibility and leadership expectations. He said professional titles alone do not define leadership.
“Leadership is about serving,” Hernandez said. “You can have the best title, the biggest car, the biggest house, you can have a big office. That’s fine, but that’s not leadership.”
He encouraged graduates to remember the role family members and supporters played in helping them complete the program. “Leadership is to remember you took a lot to get here, and your family helped you, and they supported you,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez also advised graduates to continue learning after completing the apprenticeship program, describing professional growth as an ongoing process.
“Just because you’re done this phase of your life does not mean you’re done,” Hernandez said. “It’s an ongoing process.”
He emphasized the importance of teamwork and caution in healthcare settings, encouraging nurses to seek guidance when uncertain rather than risk patient safety. “There’s nothing wrong… we’d rather you be safe than be a cowboy,” Hernandez said.
Addressing the realities of patient care, Hernandez reminded graduates that patients and families often arrive during difficult moments in their lives. “They’re humans,” he said. “Don’t forget to be human. Look people in the eye, be nice to them. They’re patients.”
Hernandez said healthcare professionals must recognize both the emotional and physical challenges patients and families experience while receiving care. “It’s a whole team that’s suffering,” he said. “And they look to you to make them better, to make them feel better.”
Closing his remarks, Dr. Hernandez encouraged graduates to remain disciplined, patient-focused, and mindful of the responsibility that comes with entering the nursing profession. “Your actions matter,” Hernandez said. “You didn’t have to study, you didn’t have to go to school, you didn’t have to work, but you did it. So clearly the world is in front of you.”
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