by media | Aug 24, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases, News
Pharr Mayor Hernandez, CPRIT Oversight Committee Member, Announces $2.5 Million Cancer Research Grant to UTRGV
In his capacity representing Pharr, the Rio Grande Valley, and the medical community of Texas, Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., as a member of the Oversight Committee of the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), is proud to announce that CPRIT has awarded funding in the amount of $2.5 million to The University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) for an Integrated Cancer Research Core Facility, the only specialized facility of its kind within 250 miles.
“This is very exciting news for the Rio Grande Valley and Texas,” said Hernandez. “This grant award further solidifies UTRGV’s fairly young medical school’s significant and emerging role as a leader in cancer research, and will provide researchers with countless opportunities for innovation and creativity to examine cutting-edge and breakthrough treatments for cancer patients,” Hernandez continued.
“As a community, we value the medical advancements that are being made here in our backyard, that are studying medical issues specific to our local demographics and informing the greater medical community-at-large,” Hernandez added. “I am honored to be contributing to the significance of this moment as a member of CPRIT’s oversight committee, as a medical professional, and as a leader in our South Texas community,” said Hernandez. “Many lives will be impacted by the medical research at this Integrated Research facility, and we should all be proud of UTRGV on this notable accomplishment and for being competitive among the most reputable medical schools in all areas of medical research,” Hernandez added.
According to CPRIT, the grant award process is “extremely competitive,” explained Wayne Roberts, CPRIT’s Chief Executive Officer. Roberts added, “Receiving such a significant grant as a new institution is a tribute to the UT Rio Grande Valley’s developing role in fast-tracking cancer research in the Valley and Texas.”
This grant award from CPRIT is timely, as UTRGV has just announced the creation of its new Cancer and Surgery Center, with oncology advisory services provided by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, according to a news release issued by the university yesterday. The Integrated Cancer Research Core Facility funded by CPRIT will likely inform and work alongside the new Cancer and Surgery Center as it advances cutting-edge research and clinical treatment services.
“UTRGV is committed to expanding medical care and conducting relevant research for the Rio Grande Valley community, and this CPRIT award will allow us to continue to fulfill our mission by helping us create an Integrated Cancer Research Core Facility,” UTRGV President Guy Bailey said. “I thank Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez and the City of Pharr for their continued support of UTRGV and our School of Medicine, and everyone who helped our university obtain this impactful grant,” added Bailey.
“I knew in 2007, when I first coauthored legislation creating the CPRIT, that it would have a huge impact on our state,” said Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. “CPRIT’s grant confirms the prestige and impact that UTRGV has in our community,” added Lucio. “Not only is UTRGV a powerhouse for South Texas, but it will also now be known as a powerhouse for cancer research, further enabling those in our community, state, and nation to seek and receive the care and the much-needed help they deserve,” Lucio stated.
“I am pleased CPRIT made this award to UTRGV,” said Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa. “Our legislative delegation has been meeting with CPRIT leadership advocating for financial support to expand our cancer treatment infrastructure in South Texas,” he added. “An important step in our efforts included the appointment of Dr. Hernandez to the CPRIT Board,” stated Hinojosa. “He understands the needs of our communities and is a strong voice for our region,” he continued. “Working together, we will ensure that Valley residents with cancer have access to top-notch researchers, facilities, and doctors available to them during their battle,” added Hinojosa.
Hernandez was appointed to the CPRIT’s Oversight Committee in February 2020 by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.
“I am honored to serve and represent our community and Texas as a member of CPRIT’s Oversight Committee, and I want to acknowledge and thank State Senators Eddie Lucio, Jr., and Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa for believing in me and for their support in promoting my appointment,” Hernandez said. “Together, and along with CPRIT and now UTRGV, we are advancing scientific knowledge and contributing to life-saving prevention and treatment services for cancer patients,” Hernandez ended.
COURTESY FORWARD
View the full text of CPRIT’s grant announcement at:
https://www.cprit.state.tx.us/news-events/articles/cancer-prevention-research-institute-of-texas-awards-25-million-to-ut-rio-grande-valley/
by media | Jul 20, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases, News
Pharr Approves Labor Agreements with Fire and Police Unions
The City of Pharr has successfully negotiated collective bargaining contracts with both Fire and Police Unions. After a two-year carryover of existing contracts, the negotiations concluded within a day of each other and resulted in 3-year contracts with each entity, incremental pay increase, and organizational modifications.
“The Pharr Police Officers Association is proud to announce that after three hours of negotiation, we successfully reached an agreement regarding police labor improvements,” said Sgt. Danny Garcia, Treasurer of the Pharr Police Association. “We are proud of the collaborative efforts between Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, Pharr City Commissioners, city administration, and our police unions,” he said. “Through these negotiations, our Pharr Police personnel will now receive a 15% increase over the next 3 years; 7% in year 1, 4% in year 2, and 4% in year 3,” added. Sgt. Garcia.
“The Pharr Professional Firefighters Association extends its gratitude to Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, our City Commissioners, City Manager Ed Wylie, Assistant City Manager Anali Alanis, Finance Director Karla Saavedra, Attorney Representative Rebecca Hayward, and our Pharr Fire Department Administrative team,” said Michael Navarro, the President of the Fire Union. “The newly approved contract will consist of a 13% increase over the course of 3 years and includes modifications to the organizational chart which now includes battalion chief officers to the rank structure,” continued Navarro. “The Pharr Fire Department has expanded tremendously over the years, and we look forward to being a part of the continual growth these new terms will bring to our city and personnel,” Navarro stated. “These new additions will help to efficiently manage all our responding units and stations during emergency situations,” he said.
“The City of Pharr is pleased that we reached agreements so quickly,” said City Manager Ed Wylie. “The open-minded philosophy of both the union representatives and city administration made for a successful outcome for both the city and our first responders in the police and fire departments,” he continued. “These new agreements demonstrate how much the City of Pharr values its employees and are grateful for such excellent staff that continues to serve our citizens,” added Wylie.
by media | Jul 20, 2021 | Featured News, News, Police News
Pharr Police Respond to Crisis Incident
On Friday July 16th, 2021, at around 10:20 P.M. Pharr Police Officers were dispatched to the 3100 block of North Sugar Road, to a canal bank regarding a 36-year-old female in crisis locked inside her vehicle with a handgun. The call was made to 911 by her family members.
Officers found the vehicle on the South side of the canal bank facing West bound towards Sugar Road. Officers observed the female inside the vehicle with the handgun pointed towards her head and were able to confirm that she was alone.
Officers immediately backed off, established a perimeter and requested our Crisis Negotiation Unit, Special Response Team, and Mental Health Unit.
At around 12:00 A.M. the female fired a single shot out of her window into the air. Negotiators were able to establish communication with the female and attempted to deescalate the situation for multiple hours.
At around 1:45 A.M., the female stopped communications with our Negotiation Unit. Our team had information that she was harming herself, so the Special Response Team acted and found the female with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Emergency care was provided to her and she was transported to Doctors Hospital at Renaissance where she was pronounced deceased.
The Texas Rangers will be the lead investigation agency for this incident.
Our collective hearts go to out to the victim’s family during this difficult time. Further details will be made available at a later time.
by media | Jul 14, 2021 | Featured News, News, Police News
Pharr Police Ask Public for Help on Theft Case – Be on the Lookout
The Pharr Police Department is asking for the public’s help in a theft case that occurred between Sunday, July 11th and Monday, July 12th. Over $40,000 worth of equipment was stolen from the Vanguard Academy located at 1407 W. Moore Rd. belonging to A&E Lawn and Tree Trimming.
Items stolen:
• Orange ’17 Kubota MX 5800 tractor
• Black ’22 Big Tex 16 ft trailer
• Tractor attachments
• Set of trailer ramps
If you have any information about this case, please call Pharr Police at 956-787-TIPS (8477)
by media | Jun 22, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases, News
Pharr Chamber Announces Marcela Beas as President/CEO
The Board of Directors of the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce announced today that it has selected Marcela Beas, M.B.A., as President/CEO. Beas previously served as interim President of the Chamber since 2020; prior to that, Beas was Membership Manager of the Chamber, where she managed the fulfillment of annual new membership sales and existing member retention targets and executed marketing initiatives to create brand advocacy and member growth for the Chamber.
Beas received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Marketing from St. Edward’s University and earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley. In her professional capacity, Beas has acquired a wealth of business and marketing experience in both the public and private sectors. Beas brings to the Chamber exceptional relationship-building skills critical to the growth of the Chamber, as well as experienced project management and market-intelligent and analytical solutions.
“The Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is elated with the announcement of our Executive Director. Marcela Beas brings innovative and positive ideas to support our Pharr Business Community. Her synergy is the key to continue the mission to keep Pharr moving forward,” said Mario Lizcano, DHR Health, Chairman of the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce.
“I am honored to have been entrusted by our Board of Directors to lead the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce at a time when our business community needs us the most. I am committed to fulfilling the Chamber’s mission and look forward to providing relevant services and resources that foster economic growth in our community,” said Beas.
Marcela Beas, M.B.A., Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce President/CEO
by media | Apr 30, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases, News
Pharr to Close the Digital Divide; Announces Launch of Citywide Broadband Internet Service Network
Today, after years of preliminary research, advocating for funding, and working with local families to test service enhancement outcomes through a pilot project, the City of Pharr announced the future launch of TEAMPHARR.NET; the city’s fiber-optic cable broadband internet network service.
Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. made the announcement during a press conference where he unveiled the project via a historical video that highlighted the city’s years’ long efforts to enhance internet broadband connectivity throughout the community. View the video here.
“For too long, Pharr families have lacked access to one of the now basic and necessary utilities in life – Affordable, high-speed broadband Internet,” announced Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D during the press conference. “These days, the internet is our lifeline; It connects us to the everyday world, it keeps us teaching and learning through virtual means, and it gives us access to opportunities that are beyond our normal reach,” he continued. “As your city leaders, we have been working towards a viable solution and are pleased to finally announce that we will soon be launching TEAMPHARR.NET,” added Hernandez.
The project, TEAMPHARR.NET, will install 2.1 million feet, or 398 miles of fiber-optic cable to 24,000 residential and business accounts. The network will provide an internet speed of 1 gigabyte – fast, reliable, accessible, and affordable for Pharr families. The project has been undergoing a preliminary network study these last few weeks and is expected to start building its core as Part of Phase II in this project. Subsequent phases will be used to build the network in the south part of the city, the mid part of the city, and the north part of the city. Eventually, the entire city will be lit-up and “ready” for use by June of 2022.
The City of Pharr has been leading the effort to bridge the digital divide for families for many years. In 2017, the City of Pharr, in collaboration with Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District, Region One Education Service Center, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, and private entities such as BBVA Compass bank, announced a pilot project, Pharr Life Net, that brought free internet access to 50 families in their homes. The City of Pharr invested $90,000 in the household study on external devices and equipment for each home, and $100,000 was invested through the Federal Reserve Partnership with BBVA Compass used for a financial impact feasibility study.
“This is something we have been working towards in Pharr for years, and when the pandemic hit, it brought to light many issues and challenges regarding lack of internet connectivity not only in our area but across the nation,” stated Hernandez. “Our incredible team of advocates, employees, and partners are pleased to announce that we now have a solution to close the digital divide in Pharr,” he said.
Now a priority for both state and federal legislators, the nation is scrambling to work towards a solution with many Americans relying on the internet for work, school, and everyday life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just this week, President Biden announced his $100 billion dollar proposal to close the digital divide during his remarks to the joint session of Congress.
Special guests and dignitaries providing remarks during the announcement included Texas State Senator Eddie Lucio III, Texas Workforce Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez, Jordana Barton, Vice-President of Community Investments for Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Dr. Eduardo Cancino, Interim Executive Director for Region One Education Service Center, Dr. Narciso Garcia, Superintendent of Vanguard Academy, Xavier Salinas, Superintendent of Hidalgo ISD, Sylvia Ibarra, Interim Superintendent of Valley View ISD, Eddie Anaya of Valley Interfaith, and Marco Lopez, community organizer for internet access with LUPE.
The response to the city’s announcement was overwhelming and supportive as all remarks pointed to the fact that this service will no doubt become a model for the region, state, and nation as all eyes turn to closing the digital divide and connecting our communities to a fast and reliable broadband service.
“This is the future, this is what is ahead of us,” exclaimed Senator Eddie Lucio III during his remarks. “Thank you to Mayor Hernandez and the City of Pharr for working on a solution that will address the needs of our students, our workers, and our community,” said Lucio.
“What you have put together here Mayor, will be replicated in other parts of the state and country; I can assure you of that,” said Texas Workforce Commissioner Julian Alvarez. “Our communities need this infrastructure and I applaud you for bringing the future now and working towards closing the digital divide,” he added.
“We look forward to investing in and working together with the City of Pharr as we explore how best to support your efforts in closing the digital divide,” said Jordana Barton, Vice-President of Community Investments for Methodist Healthcare Ministries. She added, “The digital divide has real-world consequences for communities as we’ve seen throughout the pandemic, which made it clear how critical closing the digital divide is to the well-being of economic opportunities to communities.”
“I congratulate the City of Pharr on this accomplishment and look forward to the enhanced educational opportunities it will provide to students in Pharr,” stated Dr. Eduardo Cancino, Interim Executive Director for Region One Education Service Center. “This is not a Pharr project, this is a model for the entire region and we thank you for providing our students throughout Region One this opportunity,” he further stated.
During his closing statement, Mayor Hernandez reiterated, “We are doing this as a service to our community because we cannot let our Pharr families remain behind in this digital world.” He concluded by saying, “We are proud of this venture and creative solution that we hope can be a model for other communities to follow, so that they too, can help bridge the digital divide.”
The City of Pharr would like to thank all partners in this venture as the project phases begin throughout the city.
View the entire announcement at https://www.facebook.com/cityofpharr/videos/838694546742784.
