By Heriberto Perez–Zuñiga

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – MAY 7, 2025 – Dr. Victor Tran, an Internal Medicine physician resident at the UTRGV School of Medicine, never imagined that one day he would walk the same path his mother once did, even training under the same mentor who had helped shape her career in medicine.  

At the UTRGV School of Medicine, mentorship is as vital as the medicine practiced and history has a way of repeating itself. In Tran’s case, it was a pathway laid down by generations of healing.

More than two decades ago at Texas Tech University, Dr. Mytrang Thi Tran was an Internal Medicine resident training under Dr. Everardo Cobos, now interim dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine. As the first physician in her immediate family, her journey into medicine was one of perseverance and inspiration. 

Now, her son is completing his own Internal Medicine residency at Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco, also mentored by Cobos.

The mother-and-son journey reflects the lasting bonds forged in medicine, and the profound impact of mentorship found through academic medicine.

LEGACY OF CARE

For Victor Tran, growing up with a mother who was a physician meant seeing firsthand the dedication, challenges and fulfillment that come with a life in medicine. And while he admired his mother’s work, he never felt pressured to follow in her footsteps. It was a calling he discovered on his own.

“My mother’s influence was always there, but she let me find my own way,” Tran said. “Now, to be training under Dr. Cobos, just like she did, is an incredible full-circle moment.”

They accidentally discovered Cobos' mutual mentorship during one of many phone calls between mother and son, leading to a moment of unexpected and meaningful connection.

Mytrang Tran said the moment of discovery was surprising, but she is immensely proud to see her son follow in her footsteps.

“My time learning under Dr. Cobos was very impactful," Mytrang Tran said. "Medicine is not just about knowledge, but about the values we pass down."

A beautiful connection in medicine. Dr. Everardo Cobos, interim dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine, mentored Dr. Victor Tran's mother, Dr. Mytrang Thi Tran, during her residency at Texas Tech University. Now, he's guiding her son’s journey in medicine at UTRGV.

Cobos for his part remembers Mytrang Tran as an outstanding resident. He said the realization that he is now training her son was both unexpected and deeply moving.

“Medicine has a way of weaving unexpected connections across generations,” Cobos said. “To have mentored both a mother and her son in their journeys is a rare and special privilege.” 

Through his training, Tran embraces the same principles his mother learned years ago – compassion, diligence, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to patient care.

As he prepares for a future in academic medicine, he said, he hopes to carry forward the values instilled in him by both his mother and his mentor.  

Beyond medical expertise, he said, one of the most important lessons he hopes to emulate from Cobos is the ability to heal with joy.  

“Dr. Cobos has shown me that no matter how difficult the situation, bringing joy to patients can make all the difference,” Tran said. “That’s something I want to carry throughout my career.”

ADVANCING CANCER CARE

Tran said he is excited to train at a pivotal time for cancer care in the Rio Grande Valley.

The upcoming UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center will mark a new chapter in expanding treatment options for the region, advancing cancer care and ensuring that patients no longer have to travel far away for comprehensive care.

Cobos, who has spent his career shaping the next generation of physicians, believes UTRGV’s investment in cancer care will have lasting effects on both medical education and patient outcomes. 

“We are not just treating cancer. We are building a future where world-class care is available to every patient in the Valley,” Cobos said. “Just as we pass down knowledge from one generation of physicians to the next, we also pass down a commitment to this community.”

Tran's journey is just beginning, but he knows he carries with him the wisdom of two generations: his mother’s dedication and his mentor’s guidance. As he looks to the future, he said, he hopes to honor their legacy by mentoring and teaching future generations of physicians.

“This is more than just a career, it’s a responsibility,” Tran said, “to serve, to heal, and to continue the work of those who came before me.”