• 2021 – 2nd Quarter
• 2021 – 1st Quarter
  
• 2020 – 4th Quarter
• 2020 – 3rd Quarter
• 2020 – 2nd Quarter
• 2020 – 1st Quarter

Clarissa graduated from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio where she received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Minored in Chemistry in 2004.  She is a former graduate from South Texas College both as a Licensed Vocational Nurse and a Registered Nurse has been employed with DHR Health since 2014.  She was recently named the Legacy Nurse in November 2024.  She has acquired several responsibilities from various roles held at DHR Health from nursing education to her current position as the Trauma Performance Improvement Nurse.

Ultimately, she believes it is an honor to support individuals in their most vulnerable moments, to provide comfort, and to act as a lifeline for those in need-embodying the core values of compassion, excellence, and advocacy that are integral to the nursing profession. She continues to contribute her strong organizational ability, support research, evidence-based practice, communication, documentation, leadership, quality improvement, creative teaching strategies, and implement through realistic learning experiences and teaches with humor.

She excited to collaborate with other medical professionals to ensure effective and efficient patient care delivery to achieve positive and desired outcomes throughout the RGV.

Christen is the Director for South Texas Health System (STHS) ER at Weslaco and Alamo. She has been with STHS for 3 years and leads a dynamic team of nurses, radiology and lab techs along with registration, security and environmental staff. She is the President-elect for The Rio Bravo Chachalacas ENA Chapter 438 for 2025, having served as the Upper Valley Director in 2024.

She earned her ASN in 1998 from Northwest State Community College located in Archbold, Ohio. She began her nursing career working in long term care and then transitioned to acute care with most of the years working in the Emergency Room at numerus hospitals in Ohio and Indiana. She earned her paramedic certification in 2001 from the Medical College of Ohio (now University of Toledo Medical Center). She earned her BSN in 2011 from Mercy College of Ohio in Toledo, Ohio. Through out her career, she has worked in all levels of Emergency care from level 1 trauma centers to free standing emergency departments and everything in between. She earned her MBA-HCM in 2021from Western Governor’s University (WGU). She moved to the Rio Grande Valley in 2017 as a ‘travel’ nurse and stayed. Prior to becoming the Director for STHS ER Weslaco and Alamo, she began her leadership journey with Rio Grande Regional Hospital as Clinical Manager and opening the San Juan FSED in 2019, then becoming Director of Emergency Services in 2021.

Prior to moving to the RGV, she was very active on her local fire department Sherwood Village Fire and Rescue (Sherwood, OH) as a paramedic. She also was an EMS instructor for Four County Career Center (Archbold, OH) teaching all levels of EMS classes along with assisting with the development and teaching of the RN to Paramedic bridge course. She currently teachs TNCC and ENPC courses with the Chachalacas.

She enjoys spending time on the water on the boat, reading, riding motorcycles, spending time with her adult kids and grandkids back home in Ohio, and traveling as much as possible. She also enjoys watching the Michigan Wolverines beat the Ohio State Buckeyes in football. Go BLUE!!!

Jennifer served in the United States Air Force as an Aerospace Medical Technician shortly after graduating from high school. Jennifer discovered her passion for nursing while working at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. She attended the University of Texas Pan American (now the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley) in Edinburg, Texas, where she obtained a Bachelors degree in Nursing.  Jennifer’s nursing career started at the world renown University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where she worked in the NeuroTrauma IMC Unit. Jennifer earned her Master’s in Health Services Leadership and Management and Education through the University of Maryland School of Nursing in Baltimore, Maryland.

She is the Trauma Program Director at DHR Health Level I Trauma Center, and with her AMAZING TEAM has led the department through 2 successful level I Surveys. Jennifer is also a TNCC instructor and participates in the local Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) of Rio Grande Valley (RGV).

As a native of the Rio Grande Valley, Jennifer is passionate about her family and her community, she strives to continue improving Trauma and Burn care in the Rio Grande Valley. Jen serves at her local church and praises God for his continued blessings in her life and for equipping with the knowledge and skills to serve her community. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, family and friends, dancing, working out, and traveling.

Karla has been a nurse for 10 years, with a background in med-surg, ED, and education. She is a Trauma Program Director where she gets to use everything she’s learned by being a TNCC and ENPC instructor for her chapter. She was born in Reynosa, Mexico, and has lived in Indianapolis and in various cities throughout the Valley. She looks forward to being this years’ treasurer and continuing to support her chapter.

Chris is the Market Director of Professional Development for Valley Regional Medical Center and Rio Grande Regional Hospital. Chris is a registered nurse with over 33 years of experience as an educator, leader and clinician specializing in emergency nursing and education. She holds multiple nursing specialty board certifications and is a passionate supporter of all nurses becoming board certified.

In addition to her role with HCA, Chris is actively involved with the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) and received the 2015 and 2018 Texas ENA Nursing Education Award.  Recently, Chris was recognized as a bronze medalist recipient for the Good Samaritan Foundation’s 2023 Excellence in Nursing Awards and 2024 Texas ENA Team Award.  When not working, Chris loves to spend her time riding horses with her husband, Joe, a professional rope horse trainer and rodeo cowboy, on their ranch in Los Fresnos.

Elizabeth has 12 years of experience in the nursing field, starting as a CNA and working as an ER technician while pursuing her nursing education. She has developed a deep appreciation for this noble profession.

Her time as both an ER and ICU Nurse has reinforced her belief that nurses truly are a special creation. God made nurses smart, gifted with intelligence, strength, and resilience to effectively care for others.

Michael has been at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Brownsville over the past 24 years. It was his official first job where he started as a night shift tech/secretary in May 2001, which ignited his passion for nursing. He became a Licensed Vocational Nurse in 2002 and worked in the emergency department for 13 years before earning his Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Texas State College in May 2015.

He was quickly appointed as the Registered Charge Nurse for a year before leading him to a promotion as the Trauma Manager in August 2016 and received ENPC and TNCC instructor certifications during this time. In November 2017, he became ED Supervisor, and in July 2021, he was appointed ED Director. He was furthermore honored to be nominated and accept the Lower RGV Director for the Emergency Nurse Association in 2023.