As originally published in Mega Doctor News newsprint edition February 2013
By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
When we first met Dr. Carlos A. Herrera, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., he had been residing in the Valley for about six months. He became our Mega Doctor of the February 2013 issue in the story titled “I Want to Eradicate Cancer from This Area”
Before the interview, the Renaissance Medical Foundation had proudly announced the arrival of Dr. Carlos A. Herrera, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. (Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists). This new addition to the medical community of the Rio Grande Valley came to be of great benefit for South Texas.
The uniqueness of Dr. Herrera’s practice is that he is the only Gynecologic Oncologist in the Rio Grande Valley and possibly in the area of South Texas. “My practice is totally dedicated to seeing women with cancer,” Dr. Herrera said. “The reason I came to the Valley is to serve this area because of my desire to make a difference in people’s lives.”
He pointed out that he wanted to be more than just another doctor in the bunch as it was in Houston. “It became mechanical, like in a business. I wanted to feel the genuine feeling of really helping patients not only in the medical aspect but also in the social and in their personal lives.”
Dr. Herrera told Mega Doctor News that it is very important for him to provide alternatives to cure cancer as well as to share with his patients how important it is to live with a passion.
Some of the cases that Dr. Herrera sees are extremely difficult even more than what he saw when in training. “I am blessed and I consider myself the instrument of a higher power,” he stated. “I have been in cases where the cancer is incurable and three to four hours into the case the lady is cured.”
According to him, the difference he has made since he got here five months ago has been notable. “It has been a turnaround of 180 degrees in the cure of female cancer,” said Dr. Herrera. He pointed out that cancer is an enemy that does not attack only one organ; it spreads itself with the sole purpose to kill.
He mentioned that this is why it is important to understand the anatomy, biochemistry, and biology to predict a behavior of the disease. “Predicting the behavior of the disease can be very challenging.”
Before coming to the Valley, Dr. Herrera practiced in an affluent area in Houston. Consequently it attracted many doctors and when that happens, he says, “There aren’t enough patients to serve.”
As of May of 2012, when he began to see very difficult cases of cancer, his credentials as the first and only full time Gynecologic Oncologist in the Valley provided a valuable service for the local community.
Dr. Herrera said that this makes him feel good because he is providing a service in an area where his specialty was non-existent. The passion that he has for his profession is obvious; he said that it always allows him be the best at what he does.
However, there is something else that is very obvious as well, that is the love and appreciation he feels for his wife. “I consider myself the luckiest man for being married to the best woman; we have known each other for 30 years and been married for 26. I know that she prays for me every night and those prayers have protected my family and me as well. Her faith and communion with God have enlightened my new path in the Rio Grande Valley.”
Mega Doctor News selected Dr. Carlos Herrera as the Mega Doctor for the month of February for his passionate devotion to caring for his patients with cancer and helping them achieve the best possible outcome. Dr. Herrera can be reached at 956-362-2310 at his practice, which is located at the Cancer Center at Renaissance, 2717 Michael Angelo Drive, Suite 304 in Edinburg, Texas.
