Mega Doctor News
McALLEN, Texas – Diabetes remains one of the nation’s most pressing health challenges, with a disease once largely associated with older adults now affecting younger populations at an alarming rate.
More than 40 million Americans, or 12% of the U.S. population, are currently living with diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while an estimated 11 million people remain undiagnosed.
In the Rio Grande Valley, the burden is even greater.
A recent study found that diabetes affects nearly 44% of residents in the region, significantly exceeding the national average and highlighting the area’s ongoing diabetes epidemic.
“Unfortunately, many people underestimate the seriousness of the disease, especially when symptoms are mild or absent,” said Chris Casso, MD, FAAFP, DABOM, a board-certified family medicine physician and Diplomate of Obesity Medicine with South Texas Health System (STHS) Clinics. Over time, uncontrolled diabetes can damage the heart, kidneys, nerves, eyes and other vital organs, often without obvious warning signs. That’s why early diagnosis, consistent management and regular medical care are so important.”
When left untreated or poorly managed, diabetes can trigger medical emergencies, including diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS), both caused by dangerously elevated blood sugar levels.
These serious complications can develop rapidly, often within hours, and require immediate medical attention. Without prompt treatment, they can lead to severe dehydration, organ failure, coma and even death.
“Because every minute matters, early recognition, timely intervention and access to high-quality emergency care are critical to improving outcomes and saving lives,” said Dr. Casso.
Fortunately, Valley residents can rely on STHS for nationally recognized care when diabetic emergencies occur.
For the fourth consecutive year, STHS McAllen and STHS Edinburg have earned a five-star rating from Healthgrades for the treatment of diabetic emergencies, a distinction that places both facilities among the nation’s top-performing hospitals for specialty care.
The recognition reflects STHS’ unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional, lifesaving care to the communities it serves.
“As diabetes continues to affect families across the Valley at disproportionately high rates, this recognition reflects the expertise, dedication and teamwork our physicians, nurses and support staff bring to patient care every day,” said Emma Montes-Ewing, Chief Executive Officer, STHS McAllen. “Earning this distinction from Healthgrades for the fourth consecutive year underscores our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional emergency care and achieving the best possible outcomes for patients facing diabetic emergencies.”
STHS’ recognition is based on what matters most: patient outcomes. As part of its annual hospital evaluations, Healthgrades analyzed risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates across approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide for more than 30 of the most common conditions and procedures to identify top performers in specialty care.
“This five-star rating reflects what matters most to us at STHS: delivering exceptional care and achieving the best possible outcomes for our patients,” said Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Edinburg and STHS Children’s. “This recognition from Healthgrades reinforces the trust our community places in us and highlights our commitment to providing evidence-based care, reducing complications and ensuring patients receive the highest quality treatment when they need it most.”
As variation in hospital performance continues to grow, selecting a top-rated program has become increasingly important. According to Healthgrades’ 2026 analysis, if all hospitals performed at the level of five-star hospitals during the study period, an average of 224,958 lives could have been saved and 141,692 complications could have been avoided.
“Healthgrades’ specialty awards identify the nation’s top-performing hospitals in key service areas, helping consumers find high-quality care tailored to their specific needs,” said Alana Biggers, MD, MPH, medical advisor at Healthgrades. “We’re proud to recognize STHS McAllen and STHS Edinburg for their consistently superior outcomes in the treatment of diabetic emergencies.”
To learn more about the critical care services available through the STHS Trauma & Critical Care Institute, including the Level 1 Trauma Center at STHS McAllen, visit southtexashealthsystem.com.
