Valley Regional Medical Center Announces the 2012 Frist Humanitarian Award Winners
Brownsville, Texas-June 14, 2013-During the annual employee Hospital Week celebration, Valley Regional Medical Center recognized the 2012 Frist Humanitarian Award winners; Francisco “Frankie” Acevedo, RN, Director of Preoperative Services, Celia “CC” Medina, VRMC Auxiliary Volunteer, and Jose De Luna, MD.
The Frist Humanitarian Award honors outstanding individuals for humanitarian and volunteer services. Named in honor of the late Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Sr., founder of HCA and renowned humanitarian, this award recognizes individuals whose daily dedication and care-giving epitomizes the highest standards of quality and personal commitment.
Three awards are given annually at each HCA hospital. One recognizes an HCA associate who goes beyond day-to-day responsibilities and their overall service to the community. Another recognizes an HCA volunteer who gives unselfishly in their service to the facility. A third award is announced to a physician who best epitomizes Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.’s commitment to the communities in which we serve.
Employee Winner-Francisco “Frankie” Acevedo, RN
Frankie served in the Air Force where he obtained his Surgical Technician Certification. He started his career at VRMC as a Surgical Tech in 1996. He received his RN in 2000 and became the Director of Preoperative Services in 2002. He obtained his BSN from UTB in 2008. This year he was recognized by the HCA Corporation for his work in the OR Surgical Initiative for case turnaround times. His staff says; “he leaves a positive impact on the people he works with” and “he’s always considerate of patient and family needs”.
Frankie loves working with kids and helping the community. He started a VRMC flag football team for 5 year olds in 2005 and now coaches a tackle football team of 10 and 12 year olds. He is a board member of the Ronald McDonald House, Hudson Elementary Chess Team Booster, and a McAllen Sports University volunteer, just to name a few.
Frankie has served as the VRMC United Way Campaign Chair since 2010 and under his leadership has helped raise over $167,000 for this community. Frankie says; “I can’t do these things without the support of my family (wife Sonia, children; Caristen, Frankie, and Anthony) and my VRMC family. They all help me out.
Volunteer Winner-Celia “CC” Medina
CC has been a member of the VRMC Senior Auxiliary for over 6 years. She has served as the Treasurer for the past two years. She likes working in the gift shop and helps with the patient/visitor “coffee cart” weekly. She is a volunteer that never says “no” and is always willing to lend a helping hand.
CC is also a member of the HCA H2U program and helps at all of their events and activities. She started volunteering when her boys were in elementary school. She provided tutoring to students and helped with the little league baseball team.
One of CC’s passions is bowling. She has bowled in over 27 state tournaments and 7 national tournaments. She currently helps the Bowling Association during both youth and adult tournaments.
She is married to Rene and they have 4 boys; Jay, Brian, Jody, and Randy. They are blessed with four grandchildren.
Physician Winner-Jose De Luna, MD
Dr. De Luna completed medical school and post graduate training at Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. He completed his Pediatric Residency at Driscoll Foundation Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas and obtained his Neonatology Fellowship at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. He has been board certified in Pediatrics since 1990.
Dr. De Luna has served at VRMC and the Brownsville community since 1992. He served two consecutive terms as Chief of Staff at VRMC and implemented many positive changes.
Dr. De Luna and his family are actively involved at Holy Family Catholic Church where they help with donations of food and clothing for poor in Brownsville and Matamoros. They also help with an orphanage in Matamoros by providing clothing, school supplies, and toys for the children.
He is highly regarded by his family, friends, and peers. His compassion, kindness, and humble ways are just a few of the reasons he is loved and respected by those whose lives he has touched and cared for throughout the years.
Dr. De Luna is married to Tomasita “Tita” and has 5 children; Anna Cecilia, Carolina, Maria Lourdes, Jose Antonio, Jr. and Anthony.
Please join us in congratulating Frankie, CC, and Dr. De Luna on their well deserved awards.
Photograph L-R; Dr. Jose De Luna, Celia "CC" Medina, and Francisco "Frankie" Acevedo.