By Heriberto Perez–Zuñiga

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – OCT. 23, 2025 – Before he became a physician and led cancer programs nationwide, Dr. Everardo Cobos spent Saturdays as a teenager helping his father trim hedges, rake leaves and tend to roses under the hot El Paso sun.

"My father worked as a gardener," Cobos recalled. "He didn't say much, but he worked with pride and precision. I didn't realize it then, but the work ethic and sense of care he instilled in me stayed with me my whole life."

Now interim dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine, chair of the Department of Medicine and Oncology, and a practicing oncologist and hematologist for UT Health RGV, Cobos brings those same values to every patient he meets and every physician he trains.

As interim dean, he is leading a historic initiative — the launch of the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center, a state-of-the-art facility poised to transform cancer treatment in the Valley.

A CALLING IN COMPASSION

Cobos’ path to oncology became clear during his internal medicine rotations at Letterman Army Medical Center in California.

"I remember thinking it would be a depressing field, but I was shocked at how much was being done and how involved the doctors were — not just medically, but also emotionally. They guided patients through the hardest parts of life with humility and humanity."

What struck him most was how deeply oncologists connected with their patients and how intellectually curious they remained in the face of evolving treatments.

"After two weeks, I knew it was the right path for me," he said.

BUILDING VALLEY CANCER CARE

With the opening of the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center in McAllen, Cobos is committed to bringing that same level of care, compassion and curiosity to the Valley.

The center’s launch coincides with UTRGV’s 10th anniversary, a decade marked by significant growth in academic medicine and a deepening commitment to transforming healthcare across the Rio Grande Valley.

The new three-story center will offer a full spectrum of cancer services – medical, radiation and surgical oncology – all under one roof, along with access to the latest research and clinical trials.

"We are replicating the academic medicine models used by the best cancer centers in the country," Cobos said. "We're working closely with MD Anderson to follow best practices and to bring high-level care to our own community."

The center addresses a critical need, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services  liver cancer rates in the Rio Grande Valley have reached as high as 28.3 cases per 100,000 people, surpassing any other region in the United States.

"The incidence here rivals countries like Thailand," he said. "For many cancers, like breast and cervical cancer, the mortality rates are higher in the Valley because people come in too late. Our job is to change that."

Cobos attributes the region’s cancer rates to multiple factors, including metabolic syndrome, high diabetes and obesity rates, and limited access to early screening. The solution, he said, lies in education, prevention, early detection and building trust.

"TRAINED IN THE VALLEY, FOR THE VALLEY"

In addition to patient care, Cobos’ goal as interim dean is to create a pipeline of physicians trained in the Valley, for the Valley.

"We're building something special here," he said. "UTRGV is still young, but the culture, energy and purpose are real. We're empowering our students to lead change and stay rooted in their communities."

Since the UTRGV School of Medicine opened its doors nearly a decade ago, close to 300 medical students have graduated, highlighting the school's ongoing commitment to serving the Valley and beyond. 

LESSONS LEARNED

With more than 40 years of experience in medicine – spanning the military, academic institutions and major health systems – Cobos said the greatest lessons come from his patients.

"They've taught me humility. We don't know everything," he said. "There are times when someone's cancer is so advanced you think there's no hope, yet they survive. Other times, you think the outcome will be perfect, and the cancer comes back. You learn quickly that you must stay humble and keep learning."

Through it all, Cobos remains focused on serving the people of the Valley with compassion and excellence.

"I always say I want to make an impact, not just for our patients, but for the entire region," he said. "This center has been talked about for decades, and now it's becoming a reality."

For Cobos, it's all about meeting people where they are and developing a healthcare system that sees, supports and stands beside them.

"I'm so happy to be here," he said. "We're building something together, and that's exciting."

Cobos’ path reflects the enduring impact of those early lessons working alongside his father. Just as his father’s dedication shaped his character, Cobos strives to create a legacy of care that nurtures the Valley, ensuring that every individual can thrive.

To learn more about the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center, visit www.uthealthrgv.org/locations/uthealthrgv-cancer-and-surgery-center.