Mega Doctor News
By Selene Rodriguez
At just 23 years old, South Texas College Associate Degree in Nursing graduate Gerardo Cantu-Hernandez has faced more battles than many will in a lifetime.
Born with cancer caused by a rare mutation that led to the loss of his eye at age 4 and re-diagnosed twice as a teen and young adult, he was once told he would never become a nurse. But at STC, he found a community that believed in him, empowered him and helped him reclaim his dreams.
“STC saw strength where others only saw struggle. While another institution told me I couldn’t be a nurse, STC gave me a chance and helped me believe in myself,” he said. “STC helped me realize that only I have the power to define my future.”
A San Juan native, Cantu-Hernandez was inspired to pursue a career in the medical field after frequent hospital visits throughout his childhood due to his own health challenges, where he discovered that nursing offered a world of possibilities.
“The first time I was diagnosed, I was very young,” he said. “But the second time, I was 14 and was fortunate to be surrounded by amazing oncology nurses. One of them was a travel nurse and she opened my eyes to the fact that nursing isn’t limited to just one place, there are opportunities to travel the world and help all kinds of people.”
When he was rediagnosed with cancer, this time in his right knee, he endured another surgery, one that required replacing bone with metal rods. He faced intense physical therapy and had to relearn how to walk, but through it all, his spirit never wavered.
“Losing my eye at such a young age was, of course, a struggle, but over the years I adapted, and it was the same the second time around,” he shared. “As I started physical therapy and regained strength in my leg, I became fully capable again. I never wanted to use my condition as an excuse or believe I couldn’t make something of myself. I’m just as capable as anybody else.”
Cantu-Hernandez credits his college counselors at IDEA San Juan for helping solidify his goal of thriving as a nurse. But his journey hit a major setback when another institution told him he would never become a nurse because of his condition.
That’s when he turned to STC, where, instead of being dismissed, he was supported.
Just before starting the program in 2023, however, he faced yet another challenge – doctors found a tumor in his skull.
“I was given the choice to either go through chemotherapy and radiation or have the tumor removed and have a metal implant placed in my skull,” he said. “I was set to start the program at STC in two months, so I chose the latter, nothing was going to stop me.”
And that’s how Cantu-Hernandez began two rigorous years in STC’s Nursing program, with the sole purpose of helping others the way he had been helped.
Along the way, he faced academic challenges and unexpected mental health struggles when, during his fourth semester he was diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a turning point that gave him clarity, tools for support and renewed confidence in his abilities.
“I didn’t understand why I studied so hard, but still wasn’t performing at the level of my peers. But, once I was diagnosed and got the help I needed, I started to excel,” he shared. “I feel so grateful that I had the support of my instructors, who became my mentors. After I shared my struggles, they didn’t just support me, but they looked up how my challenges could actually be strengths in this field, empowering me and helping me realize that having these conditions doesn’t make me any less, it makes me a better nurse and a better person.”
STC faculty member Melinda Tellez expressed her pride in Cantu-Hernandez and her confidence that he will go on to achieve his dreams and become a valuable member of the health care community in the Rio Grande Valley.
“He embodies perseverance and resilience,” she said. “It has been a true privilege to witness both his academic achievements and personal growth. His powerful story, paired with his unwavering commitment to excellence, will undoubtedly make him an invaluable asset to the community as a registered nurse.”
Set to graduate this Saturday, Cantu-Hernandez now aspires to continue his education at STC by earning a bachelor’s degree in Nursing, while seeking a position in a hospital’s emergency room or Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
“One of my favorite things about STC’s program is how hands-on it is, they really encourage you to explore different areas of the hospital to find your niche,” he said. “During my clinicals, I was amazed at the confidence I felt. I realized I was performing at the level of a registered nurse and was praised by my hospital mentors who told me I’m just as capable as they are. I owe that to my instructors, because they trusted and believed in my potential.”
With his ultimate goal of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) before turning 30, a journey that includes both a master’s and doctoral degree in nursing, Cantu-Hernandez no longer sees limitations.
As a passionate advocate for both physical and mental health, he’s determined to prove that no condition can hold you back from achieving greatness.
“It all goes back to not letting anyone else write your story,” he said. “I was almost stopped before I even got the chance to begin. Life is full of challenges, and while some people may be overwhelmed by them, others face those same challenges and say, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but I will.’ Don’t let anyone define your potential. That’s something only you can decide.”
Cantu-Hernandez is one of more than 3,700 STC graduates who will be celebrated during commencement ceremonies this Friday and Saturday at Bert Ogden Arena.
For more information on STC graduation, visit southtexascollege.edu/graduation/.
