By Heriberto Perez–Zuñiga

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – OCT. 8, 2025 – For many Rio Grande Valley residents, seeking specialized cancer treatment often meant traveling to San Antonio, Houston or beyond, resulting in time away from loved ones and countless missed workdays. For those without transportation or the ability to take time off, these distances created insurmountable barriers to the vital care they needed.

However, on Wednesday, Oct. 8, a new era began as community leaders, healthcare providers and Valley residents gathered for the ribbon-cutting of the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center in McAllen, bringing essential cancer care and specialized surgery closer to home.

"Today has been a dream in the making for all of us," UTRGV President Guy Bailey said. "I can't stress enough how important today is for the university and for the Rio Grande Valley."

A NEW ERA OF HOPE

Thanks to years of planning and the dedication of a passionate team, the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center officially opened its doors, marking a new chapter in Valley healthcare.

"This celebration is nothing short of historic," said Dr. Everardo Cobos, UTRGV School of Medicine interim dean, chair of the Department of Medicine and Oncology, and hematologist-oncologist at UT Health RGV. "We are opening the door to a new era of hope, an era of healing and increased possibilities for our community."

The center, which opened some specialty clinics on Aug. 4, offers services in orthopedics, surgical oncology, and hematology-oncology, providing coordinated, expert care under one roof. Additional services will continue to roll out in the coming months, expanding access to comprehensive outpatient care for patients across the Valley.

"We are the only academic cancer center in the Valley," Cobos said. "We're going to discover new treatments and new pathways that will benefit patients, not just here, but across our nation."  

Dr. Everardo Cobos, interim dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine and hematologist-oncologist at UT Health RGV, talks to attendees at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Cancer and Surgery Center. This facility is the only academic medical center of its kind in the Rio Grande Valley, offering comprehensive cancer treatment, advanced outpatient surgery and clinical research, while training local experts dedicated to serving the community. (UTRGV Photo by Heriberto Perez Zuniga)

ALL UNDER ONE ROOF

The new state-of-the-art facility is designed to be a one-stop destination for coordinated outpatient care. Services include:

• Cancer Care – Medical and surgical oncology, hematology, diagnostics and infusion therapy.
• Orthopedic and Sports Medicine – Specialized surgeons and physicians, on-site imaging and outpatient rehabilitation services.
• Outpatient Surgery – Sports medicine, foot and ankle, hand, joint, gastroenterology and oncology procedures (launching soon).
• Diagnostic Imaging – MRI 3T, CT, X-ray, mammography, bone density, general ultrasound, and the only Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) in Hidalgo County. PET/CT and fluoroscopy services coming soon.
• Clinical Laboratory Services – On-site lab supporting timely diagnosis, treatment planning and ongoing patient care, with direct-to-consumer testing available soon.
• Outpatient Rehabilitation – Occupational, hand and oncology therapy, with physical therapy services launching soon.
• Clinical Research and Training –Expanding opportunities for trials and medical education in the Valley.

The center's layout and imaging capabilities were intentionally built with comfort, speed and diagnostic excellence in mind. 

"People heal better at home, and that's the whole purpose of this center," said Dr. Michael Sander, chief executive physician for UT Health RGV. "We have built it here to enable us to do so many more things, so our patients don't have to leave." 

This commitment to excellence extends to oncology pharmacy services, ensuring timely, personalized cancer medications. Unlike other options, UT Health RGV's specialty pharmacy provides face-to-face support from professionals who collaborate closely with oncologists. 

The infusion and chemotherapy pharmacy facilities, expected to open soon, will meet the highest national safety standards, including negative-pressure rooms and sterile pass-through chambers, features rarely found in outpatient centers across the Valley. 

"We are filling a vital need in the RGV," Sander said. "With this center, we have it all under one roof."

The same level of innovation and patient-centered design is also shaping the center's outpatient surgery program, scheduled to launch later this year. Services will include sports medicine, foot and ankle, hand, joint, gastroenterology and oncology procedures.

The center will also become the new home for UT Health RGV's Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine services, providing patients with access to advanced surgical care, imaging and rehabilitation all in one location.

HOMEGROWN EXPERTS

The facility was designed to bridge critical care gaps while unlocking new opportunities in research and education. Leaders emphasized that the space was created to enable patients to access comprehensive cancer treatment and cutting-edge clinical trials without leaving their community.

The center will also serve as a training hub for future doctors, medical students, nurses, physician residents and fellows. Students will gain hands-on learning experiences that not only strengthen the medical workforce but also help address the growing physician shortage in Texas. 

Looking ahead, Cobos said the center reflects what the Valley has always deserved and what the future holds.

"We're going to train in here, in this environment where science, compassion and healing come together," Cobos said. "We are going to grow our own doctors and our own scientists – homegrown experts to understand the culture, the people and are committed to serving the Valley."

The UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center, located at 1400 N. Commerce Center St. in McAllen, will continue to roll out services in the coming months. UT Health RGV accepts most major insurance carriers. Patients are encouraged to call 1-833-UTRGVMD (1-833-887-4863) to confirm coverage. 

For more information about the center and available services, visit UTHealthRGV.org.

UTRGV President Guy Bailey cuts the ceremonial ribbon on Wednesday, Oct. 8, to officially open the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center. Designed with patients in mind, the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center provides advanced technology, multidisciplinary teams and compassionate care under one roof. (UTRGV Photo by Heriberto Perez Zuniga)