Brownsville, Texas – May 11, 2016 – Valley Regional Medical Center launched the annual employee Hospital Week celebration, on Monday, May 9th, by recognizing the 2015 Frist Humanitarian Award winners; Yecica Serrata, Medical Staff Coordinator, Estella Barbosa, VRMC Auxiliary Volunteer, and Asim Zamir, MD. In addition to the local awards, VRMC celebrated Dr. Zamir as the Gulf Coast Division recipient of the Frist Humanitarian Award.
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 – Yecica (Yeci) Serrata
Yeci began her career at Valley Regional Medical Center in February 2011. She passionately serves as a Ministry Director for Livingway Kidz at Livingway Church in Brownsville. As Ministry Director she gladly organizes community and church events, presents lessons about good character and spiritual growth, teaches children’s Bible classes, and encourages other young leaders who wish to serve like her. She also serves as a liaison between pastoral staff and ministry volunteers. Yeci’s Pastor said “Yecica is an integral part of the children’s ministry here at Livingway. We appreciate all she does to make Livingway Kidz a place where children have fun while learning about Jesus.”
Yeci is nicknamed “Department Philanthropist” because she recognizes when there is a need to raise money for someone who is going through a difficult time, hosts a party to honor another person, or organizes a condolence card when anyone has a loss in the family.
Those that know Yecica state that she is very committed, not only to the HCA Mission and Values, but she is an ideal representation of what our employees should be in our community.
Volunteer Winner – Estela Barbosa
Estela has been a member of the VRMC Senior Auxiliary since 2006 and has invested over 1,549 hours in caring for and serving Valley Regional Medical Center patients, families, and staff. She is gracious, welcoming, and engages with compassion for others to make visitors feel at ease.
She is married to George and together they have 3 children (Blanca Lozano, Alejandro Barbosa, and Norma Abete), and enjoy a total of 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Estela’s compassionate and service to others is an exemplary representation of Valley Regional Medical Center’s mission to treat our community as family by providing quality, compassionate care.
Physician Winner – Asim Zamir, M.D
Dr. Zamir has been an active member of the VRMC Medical Staff Committees since 1997, when he first began practicing at Valley Regional Medical Center. He currently serves as the Chief of Staff and has served as the Medical Executive Committee Secretary and Section Chief.
Dr. Zamir is the founder and president of The Brownsville Children’s Clinic; he is an assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Texas at San Antonio; and serves on various boards such as Hooked for Life, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Advisory Board, Driscoll Children’s Hospital at Corpus Christi, Lone Star National Bank at McAllen, and the Brownsville Community Foundation. He has received many awards and recognitions in the community such as: First Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award for Hooked for Life in 2013; Outstanding Citizen of the Year award from the Boy Scouts of America in 2012; Patron Award from the American Heart Association in 2006; Child Advocate of the Year from the Cameron County Child Abuse Task Force in 2004; Star of Excellence Award from Neighbors in Need of Services, Inc. Head Start School Program in 2004-2012.
Dr. Zamir has given much of his time to caring for our patients and being involved with our medical and nursing staff activities. He has gone above and beyond to ensure his patients’ needs are met.
Dr. Zamir is committed not only to the HCA and Valley Regional Medical Center Mission and Values, but to his profession, patients and his community.
About Valley Regional Medical Center
Valley Regional Medical Center is conveniently located at the corner of Expressway 77 and Alton Gloor Boulevard in Brownsville. With physicians representing over 25 specialties, Valley Regional Medical Center is a leader in a vast array of high quality programs, including advanced diagnostic imaging, interventional cardiac catheterization, open heart surgery, laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeries, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, women’s services, pediatric services and neonatal intensive care. Valley Regional Medical is nationally recognized by The Joint Commission as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center and our Emergency Department is designated as an Advanced Level III Trauma Center treating a wide range of emergent needs 24 hours a day. For more information on Valley Regional Medical Center’s programs and services, visit our website at www.valleyregionalmedicalcenter.com.
About HCA Gulf Coast Division
HCA Gulf Coast Division is a comprehensive network of hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, emergency centers, and diagnostic imaging facilities. It offers a complete continuum of specialized health programs and services that meet the needs of Greater Houston and South Texas’ residents and businesses. HCA affiliated facilities in the Gulf Coast Division include: 13 hospitals, 8 ambulatory centers, 7 off-campus emergency centers, and a regional transfer center that provides one-phone-call access and support for patient transfers into and out of the HCA Gulf Coast Division Affiliated Hospitals, as well as access to ground and air transportation within a 150-mile radius. For more information, visit our website at www.HCAGulfCoast.com.