2023S0391-1 05/01/23
By: Hinojosa S.R. No. 501
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize Cris Rivera, who retired as chief executive officer of
Rio Grande Regional Hospital on March 31, 2023, after a
distinguished career of more than 36 years in health care
management with Hospital Corporation of America Healthcare; and
WHEREAS, Cris Rivera is a visionary leader in health care
administration whose diligence and dedication have benefited
countless staff members and patients at the hospitals she has
served; a native of Edinburg, Cris was named chief executive
officer of Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen in November of
2012, and she became the first Hispanic woman to serve in the
position; and
WHEREAS, While earning her bachelor's degree from
Incarnate Word College in San Antonio, Cris began her career in
health care by working as a phlebotomist; she went on to earn her
master's degree in administration and health care management
from Our Lady of the Lake University, and she first joined the
staff of Rio Grande Regional Hospital in 1982 and was employed as
a lab supervisor; and
WHEREAS, Cris went on to serve in top leadership roles at a
number of other HCA Healthcare-affiliated hospitals in Texas,
Kansas, and Louisiana before returning to Rio Grande Regional
Hospital in 2012 to begin her tenure as chief executive officer;
under her leadership, the institutions she served were
recognized among the nation's top-performing hospitals, and Cris
was instrumental in successfully implementing plans for facility
expansion and renovation projects and in establishing
specialized health care clinics; and
WHEREAS, While serving at Rio Grande Regional Hospital,
Cris was devoted her mission to recruit talented and dedicated
physicians to South Texas and to make quality health care more
accessible to the residents of the Rio Grande Valley; among her
achievements as chief executive officer, she recently signed an
agreement partnering Rio Grande Regional Hospital and HCA
Healthcare with The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley;
through this partnership, resident physicians from the
university's medical school will be placed in training positions
at Rio Grande Regional Hospital and at Valley Regional Medical
Center in Brownsville; and
WHEREAS, Widely respected and admired for her effective
leadership and prudent administration, Cris worked to create a
rewarding environment for her staff and to empower them to pursue
excellence in health care; her passion for serving her community
and her uncompromising commitment to the highest standards of
health care management have greatly benefited the residents of
the Rio Grande Valley, she is indeed deserving of special
recognition on her outstanding accomplishments; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby commend Cris Rivera on her years of exemplary
leadership in health care management and extend to her
congratulations on her retirement and best wishes for the future;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
her as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.