By Karen Villarreal

BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS – MAY 2, 2026 – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s School of Podiatric Medicine (SOPM) celebrated a milestone on Saturday, May 2, graduating its first class of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) graduates in Texas.

The SOPM Class of 2026 was the first in Texas to complete the DPM degree at the state’s first – and only – School of Podiatric Medicine, and one of only 10 programs nationwide.

Dr. Javier La Fontaine, SOPM dean, called the moment “four years in the making,” saying it was worth the wait as 18 graduates marked the completion of their journey with family, friends and loved ones at the UTRGV campus in Brownsville.

“We’ve been waiting for this day since we started the school. It is a proud day for us, the students, their families and the state of Texas,” La Fontaine said. “We can now say, as the only Texas school of podiatric medicine, that we are successfully producing the next generation of professionals in our field.” 

After four years of DPM training, the next step for the Class of 2026 is three years of residency, leading to eligibility for licensure as a podiatrist. Graduates matched to residency programs this March during the SOPM Match Day ceremony.

During the event, UTRGV President Guy Bailey told the new residents, “Because you're the first, you have a special resilience and a special understanding of what it takes to be successful. Congratulations, and we look forward to following your journey.”

In their ceremonial doctoral regalia, students received their hood – placed by faculty mentors, SOPM leaders, and practicing podiatrists – symbolizing the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next. (UTRGV Photo by Silver Salas)

TIME TO CELEBRATE

Dr. Madeleine Mehaffey, SOPM student body president, delivered remarks at the inaugural commencement, thanking the graduates’ families, friends and mentors for their support.

“We didn’t just make it through podiatry school,” Mehaffey said. “We helped build something that didn’t exist before us.”

Dressed in their ceremonial doctoral regalia – a velvet cap and gown – the students received their doctoral hood one by one. The distinctive, four-foot-long hoods were placed over their heads by faculty mentors, SOPM leadership and practicing podiatrists to symbolize the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next.  

Two students shared this moment with their fathers:

• Joseph F. Bender, a podiatrist in McAllen and Harlingen, placed the hood over his daughter, Dr. Stephanie Bender, who matched with UTRGV for her podiatric residency.
• Walter Strash, a podiatrist in San Antonio, celebrated his daughter, Dr. Bella Strash, who matched within Texas to HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood.  

THE BELL-RINGING RITE OF PASSAGE

Following the hooding ceremony, three students rang UTRGV’s ceremonial bronze bell, a traditional symbol of a rite of passage.

• Mehaffey, who also rang the bell at the school’s first White Coat ceremony four years ago, said she was glad to remain in Texas for her residency at Hunt Regional Medical Center in Greenville.

• Nicholas Obias, from Houston, led SOPM’s involvement with the Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons. He matched to the University of Louisville in Kentucky for residency.
• Peter Elvin, who contributed to seven published studies with SOPM faculty, will complete residency at HCA Florida Northwest.

Mehaffey, Obias and Elvin were among four students recognized by the Pi Delta National Honor Society, a prestigious academic organization for podiatric medicine, along with Strash.

The honor cited academic excellence – a 3.8/4.0 GPA or higher and top 10% of their class, as well as moral character and leadership. 

Family and friends cheer on their graduate during the first UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine commencement ceremony on May 2. (UTRGV Photo by Silver Salas)

CONGRATS TO THE FIRST SOPM GRADS

Bender, who will carry out her residency primarily through Valley Baptist Hospital, described her achievement as a rare full-circle path. She “bled orange” throughout her academic journey – from attending UTRGV Mathematics and Science Academy to her undergraduate and graduate work, and then SOPM, before matching with UTRGV for residency.

“It's a privilege and an honor to represent my school as the first SOPM graduate resident,” Bender said. “This is a really underserved area, and if the residency program can attribute to any change, that is a great gift.” 

After earning her official doctor title, she hopes to work alongside her father and her sister, who is pursuing a residency in the second SOPM cohort.

“I feel very fortunate to complete my residency program in a place where I was born and raised, and continue my father’s legacy in the field of podiatry,” Bender said.  “His dedication to his patients in the Rio Grande Valley has instilled in me the importance of patient care, humility and a strong work ethic.”

Ricardo Gonzalez, the first Rio Grande Valley student accepted into SOPM four years ago, said he is grateful for the opportunity to grow close to home while beginning a new chapter with a residency in Metairie, Louisiana, at East Jefferson General Hospital.

“It feels surreal to be graduating with my doctorate,” Gonzalez said.  “I feel truly blessed to have earned my doctorate here in the Rio Grande Valley. I definitely plan to return to South Texas to serve our community. My whole family is here, and I’ve seen the need here.”

FIRST-CLASS BOND AND SHARED GROWTH

Dr. Sean Smith, from Houston, said he’ll always remember the people he met in the Rio Grande Valley – especially his classmates, who became close friends through many late-night study sessions in the SOPM library. 

“The community here was really unique and beautiful,” Smith said. “When we were going through it, it was tough – getting a little loopy studying at 2 a.m. – but you're all cracking jokes and navigating it together.”

Obias said the group became very close-knit and highly trained thanks to extensive one-on-one time with the faculty.

Three SOPM students – Dr. Madeleine Mehaffey, Dr. Nicholas Obias and Dr. Peter Elvin – rang UTRGV’s ceremonial bronze bell, an honored symbol of the rite of passage, marking their next steps in residency across Texas and beyond. (UTRGV Photo by Silver Salas)

“We learned a lot of technical knowledge and how to carry ourselves in the community, so I think we’re setting a good example for the following classes,” Obias said.

Dr. Zachary Perez, from Edinburg, said the inaugural class faced challenges that no future cohort would share – most notably the absence of upperclassmen to guide traditions and expectations.   

“So much was unknown. This inaugural class is unlike any other graduating class out there,” Perez said.

Perez, who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology at UTRGV, said his cohort is poised to shape the future of podiatry.

“My peers will be future leaders in the profession. I’m glad that I got to know them before they make it big,” Perez said.  

Perez also said he passed his board exams on his first attempt, crediting a rigorous board-prep process and mentorship from Dr. Stephanie Campbell and Dr. Dustin Prins, which helped him secure his top residency choice – New Mexico Veterans Affairs Health Care System (VAHCS) and Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif.

Perez plans to specialize in limb salvage and diabetic foot research, with plans to return to the Rio Grande Valley after finishing his training.

“As someone who grew up here, I want to give back to my community and combat diabetes,” Perez said. 

One of 18 SOPM graduates stops to celebrate with a loved one after picking up her diploma. (UTRGV Photo by Silver Salas)

READY TO WORK

While Smith said it was an honor to graduate as SOPM’s first class, he is also excited to move from student life into professional practice after 21 years as a learner.

“You never stop learning as a doctor, but I'm so ready to be compensated for work in the real world,” Smith said. He matched to Legacy Health, a nonprofit hospital system in Portland, Oregon.

Smith is also looking forward to relocating to a region that won his heart when he did a clinical rotation there.

“I got to see the mountains, ocean and forest all in one area,” Smith said. “It was everything I ever wanted.”

Obias said he is eager to settle in Louisville after completing month-long externships. During his rotation there, he found a strong culture fit when his department volunteered with the Special Olympics, and he appreciated the emphasis on outreach. 

“I’ve always had a heart for volunteering and outreach, and I think it’s an important part of the profession,” said Obias, who helped organize volunteers for SOPM student-led community events. 

“After completing my residency I would love to come back to Texas because I have family here, but I’m open to carrying the UTRGV spirit wherever the winds take me,” Obias said. 

To learn more about the UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine, visit https://www.utrgv.edu/school-of-podiatric-medicine.

Graduates celebrate their big day with friends and family after the ceremony in Brownsville. (UTRGV Photo by Silver Salas)