Mega Doctor News
Inspired by her mother and grandmother, South Texas College graduate Alexa Nohemy Garza is continuing a family tradition as she becomes the third generation in her family to graduate from STC’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program.
At 21 years old, Garza is following in the footsteps of her mother, Marzela Nohemy Benavidez, and her grandmother on her father’s side, Dina Casarez, who both graduated from STC and built successful careers in healthcare.
“Growing up, I watched my mom and grandmother dedicate their lives to caring for others and seeing the bonds they built with their patients inspired me to do the same,” Garza said. “Now, being able to continue that legacy is truly special.”
For Casarez, 61, nursing was more than a career choice. It was something she said came naturally from a young age.
“I’ve always liked taking care of people,” she said. “That was my calling. Over the years, I’ve been able to build relationships with patients and their families, and that’s always been the most rewarding part of nursing for me.”
After beginning her nursing career in the early 1990s, Casarez later enrolled at STC, where she graduated from the Associate Degree Nursing program in 2002. Over the course of more than three decades, she built experience across multiple areas of the field, including hospitals, nursing homes, hospice, home health and insurance services.
Her connection to STC eventually came full circle when she returned to the college to teach for several years, helping guide and mentor future healthcare professionals.
“We didn’t have everything they have now, the simulation labs and all the resources available to students today. It’s incredible to see how much STC has grown,” she said. “But the heart of the program is still the same. Seeing Alexa continue this journey makes me incredibly proud. I always tell her to treat every patient like family because if you lead with compassion, you can never go wrong.”
Benavidez, 40, said her path into nursing came later in life after realizing she wanted a career centered around helping others.
After spending nearly eight years working as a licensed vocational nurse, Benavidez enrolled in STC’s ADN program, becoming a registered nurse in 2019 and later earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
“I’m incredibly proud of Alexa,” Benavidez said. “She figured out what she wanted to do early and worked hard for it. I always tell her to lead with compassion and treat people with kindness because that’s what nursing is about. Nursing is not easy, but I know she’s ready for it.”
Garza has been an STC student since she was 18 years old when she enrolled in the college’s Vocational Nursing program, which she graduated from in 2024.
She immediately continued into the ADN program, recently earning her associate degree during STC’s most recent commencement ceremonies.
She will soon sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), the national exam required for nursing graduates to become registered nurses.
“I’m nervous to start working, but I feel ready,” Garza said. “At first, I thought I didn’t know enough, but this program showed me how capable I really am. Now I feel confident stepping into this next chapter.”
In the fall, Garza plans to continue her education at STC by pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Her long-term goal is to become a nurse practitioner and work in either labor and delivery or pediatric care.
As she prepares to begin her career, Garza said she hopes to carry forward the same compassion and dedication she witnessed throughout her life.
“I’ve always loved caring for others, and watching my family do that inspired me from a young age,” Garza said. “Now, being able to continue that legacy through nursing means everything to me.”
Information source: STC
