The Rio Grande Valley’s fight against cancer entered a new era Wednesday with the opening of the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center, a facility designed to eliminate long-standing barriers to specialized care in South Texas.

UT Health RGV and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley leaders joined physicians, patients, and community members for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new facility, located at 1400 N. Commerce Center Street.

The facility brings advanced cancer treatment, outpatient surgery, diagnostic imaging, rehabilitation, and research under one roof.

“For too long, Valley families had to make difficult choices — traveling more than 130 miles for treatment or delaying care altogether,” said Dr. Everardo Cobos, interim dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine and a hematologist-oncologist at UT Health RGV. “This is about giving our community access to the very best care, close to home. We’re assembling a first-class team that is committed to transforming care in the Valley.”

For patients like Cassie Luevano of Edinburg, a cancer survivor who traveled repeatedly to Houston for care, the opening marks a turning point. 

“Today is a historical moment for the Valley,” Luevano said. “Hopefully, many more families will be helped here and become cancer-free.”

Region’s high uninsured rates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, the Rio Grande Valley is one of the most uninsured regions in Texas and among the highest in the nation.

In 2023, an estimated 29.7% of Hidalgo County residents lacked health insurance, down slightly from 31% in 2022. 

Nearby Cameron County recorded an uninsured rate of about 26.7%, while Starr and Willacy counties reported rates ranging from 23% to 26%. 

By comparison, Texas as a whole had an uninsured rate of about 16%, the highest of any state. 

Services under one roof

The center will provide medical and surgical oncology, hematology, infusion therapy, and diagnostics alongside orthopedic and sports medicine subspecialties. 

Patients will also find on-site imaging, mammography, and Hidalgo County’s only Automated Breast Ultrasound, a technology that provides clearer scans for women with dense breast tissue. 

The center also plans to add PET/CT imaging in the near future, which allows doctors to pinpoint cancer, track treatment progress, and detect recurrence. 

Outpatient procedures in gastroenterology, oncology, and orthopedics are also available, supported by comprehensive rehabilitation programs and a fully staffed laboratory.

Academic medicine and UTRGV’s growth

The new center also underscores the Valley’s growing role in academic medicine. 

In addition to providing specialized care, it will expand opportunities for clinical research and serve as a training site for physicians, residents, and medical students.

“This center is just the beginning,” said Dr. Aamir Ahmad, orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon at UT Health RGV. “I see us becoming one of the premier academic medicine health programs in Texas.”

The launch also comes as UTRGV marks its 10th anniversary. 

Since its founding in 2015, the university has grown into one of the largest Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the country and the only university in Texas with both a School of Medicine and a School of Podiatric Medicine.