By Heriberto Perez–Zuñiga

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – MARCH. 12, 2026 – A cancer diagnosis often comes with a flood of new emotions, new words, new medications, and new routines.

For many Rio Grande Valley families, long drives out of town and time away from home to find specialized care were also not new.

However, at the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center (CSC), a new layer of support is now in place to help Valley patients navigate that journey here, at home.

FOCUS ON HEALING

Today, Daniel Hernandez, oncology pharmacy services manager at UT Health RGV and a San Benito native, is helping lead the launch of new specialized oncology pharmacy services in the Valley.

He has seen firsthand how complex cancer treatment can be in this region, and this experience has helped him advocate and help establish specialized medication management and infusion support closer to home.

"For many patients, this is one of the most overwhelming times in their lives," Hernandez said. "Our role is to make sure their treatment is safe, appropriate, and as smooth as possible so they can focus on healing."

GUIDING PATIENTS

The new oncology pharmacy team at the CSC provides clinical oversight for all infusion orders at the center. This includes preparing sterile IV compounds for chemotherapy, immunotherapies, biologics, and biosimilars.

The team also supports certain non-oncology infusions, including therapies for neurological and autoimmune conditions.

Once a physician enters a treatment plan, oncology pharmacists carefully review every detail.  

According to Hernandez, each dose is adjusted and tailored to specific patient needs, including kidney function and lab results, in accordance with established safety protocols.

Medications can also be substituted in accordance with evidence-based therapeutic guidelines to ensure patients receive the most appropriate and personalized care.

The pharmacy team also works closely with financial counselors to help patients secure prior authorizations, copay assistance, or free-drug option programs when available. 

"We try to remove as many barriers as possible," Hernandez said. "We are available to provide further guidance or recommend changes to the treatment plan to make the treatment still effective yet more affordable."

RAISING STANDARD OF CARE

Education and communication are another key component of the new service at the CSC.

Hernandez counsels patients on side effects, symptom management, and when to contact their care team, while encouraging them to keep educational materials handy and to communicate openly about how they are feeling during treatment.

"One of the most important things I tell my patients is to be 100% honest with their oncologists and nurses. Patients sometimes minimize side effects because they don't want their medication stopped," he said.

"But being honest allows care teams to adjust doses or manage symptoms so patients can stay on therapy safely."

A major advantage of this new service is the level of pharmacy oversight now available locally. With a combined 37 years of experience, CSC oncology pharmacists review treatment plans, lab work, and dosing to ensure safety and appropriateness.

Many cancer drugs are considered hazardous and require careful handling. Infusions at the CSC are prepared in a state-of-the-art suite that meets the latest national standards for sterility and hazardous drug safety. 

"Everything from the initial treatment plan ordered by the oncologist to the lab work on the day of each treatment is double-checked by two oncology pharmacists specialists to ensure appropriateness and patient safety," Hernandez said.

The new launch also lays the groundwork for future growth.

UT Health RGV is working to develop specialty and research pharmacy services to enable more patients to participate in local clinical trials. Long-term goals include bringing advanced treatments, such as CAR-T therapy [a new, personalized immunotherapy treatment that treats specific blood cancers], to the Valley.

"This is my home," Hernandez said. "If we can help patients receive safe, cutting-edge care close to their families and support systems, that's a win for the entire Valley."