Featured: Mario Lizcano, Administrator of Corporate Affairs, DHR Health, was named Man of the Year 2020 by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. Lizcano and a few other well-deserving leaders in Edinburg were featured on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, during the 2020 Man and Woman of the Year virtual awards ceremony. The awards ceremony honored volunteerism in Edinburg. During the event, award recipients for the Man and Woman of the Year, Small Business Awards, Ambassador of the Year, and Leadership Award were recognized for their ongoing activism.
Courtesy Photograph
•••••••
Mario Lizcano, Administrator of Corporate Affairs, DHR Health, who can “walk with Kings – nor lose the common touch…”, named Man of the Year 2020 by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
[email protected]
“If you can walk with the crowd and keep your virtue, or walk with Kings – nor lose the common touch…Yours is the earth and everything that’s in it.”
That passage from Rudyard Kipling’s (1865-1936) famous poem, “If”, certainly applies to Mario Lizcano, Administrator of Corporate Affairs, DHR Health, who was recently chosen by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce as Man of the Year 2020.
As one of the most well-known representatives of DHR Health, Lizcano figuratively and literally walks, meets, and works with people from different parts of society, from local community gatherings to city halls to the pillars of power at the Texas Capitol.
As a result, Lizcano, a volunteer firefighter for more than 20 years, was presented the coveted honor for his many acts of public service by the influential local business group, said Ronnie Larralde, President, Edinburg Chamber of Commerce.
“Mario has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to civic engagement to benefit our community,” Larralde said. “He has gone above and beyond for his community by serving as Edinburg Census Committee Chairman, promoting efforts towards healthcare, and COVID awareness.”
Lizcano and a few other well-deserving leaders in Edinburg were featured on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, during the 2020 Man and Woman of the Year virtual awards ceremony.
The awards ceremony honored volunteerism in Edinburg. During the event, award recipients for the Man and Woman of the Year, Small Business Awards, Ambassador of the Year, and Leadership Award were recognized for their ongoing activism.
The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce is a network of leaders serving Edinburg and the region as an advocate and resource, according to its website. Its charge is to lead the efforts in advancing commerce and the quality of life in Edinburg and the region. The organization strengthens service, development, and growth by forging positive relationships, advocating volunteerism, and leadership development.
As is the case, Lizcano’s record of achievement in his profession, public service, and personal life reads like a blueprint on how to make the most of every day of one’s life. He currently serves or has served on at least 30 boards, committees, and associations in the Rio Grande Valley.
An effective statesman, he always shares credit for his successes, and heaps deserved praise on individuals every chance he gets.
“I am so humbled, grateful, and proud to be worthy of this amazing tribute from the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce,” Lizcano said. “I accept this prestigious distinction on behalf of the devoted professionals at DHR Health who continue to expertly, compassionately, and heroically serve everyone in our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, Ltd (“DHR”) and its general partner, RGV Med, Inc. (“RGV Med”) own and operate a 519 licensed bed general acute care hospital with over 60 specialties and subspecialties located at 5501 South McColl in Edinburg. The facility is one of the largest physician-owned facilities in the United States that began as an ambulatory surgery center in 1997.
High standards were set for Lizcano to receive the honor from the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce.
“The candidate, throughout his career and personal work, should have inspirational leadership characteristics. The chamber is also seeking a person who has successfully demonstrated abilities as an individual, as a team member, and as a leader. Nominees should have a willingness to serve and assist other individuals in personal and professional development and contributions to the success of others. In submitting a nomination, the chamber also states the length of commitment to the community as well as their professional, civic, religious, cultural, and educational involvement should be of consideration. Nominees must be an Edinburg resident, own a business in Edinburg, or work in Edinburg.”
Early in 2020, Lizcano’s long history of helping the region resulted in his induction into the Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame, an event that is a key part of the City of Hidalgo’s annual and famous “BorderFest”.
“BorderFest” is the largest and oldest music, culture, and heritage celebration in South Texas, attended by people of all ages, ethnicities, and tastes from Texas, the rest of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“The Walk of Fame is a celebration of life achievements and significant civil contributions of outstanding men and women in the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas,” Hidalgo Mayor Sergio Coronado explained in his letter advising Lizcano that he had been selected for that famous decoration. “The Walk of Fame is a local landmark bearing the names of many distinguished people.”
As a result, Lizcano’s name is now joined with the prestigious list of individuals who had come before him, including President George W. Bush, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Gov. Rick Perry, ¡Despierta América! (Wake Up, America!) Host Fernando Arau, singers Lupita D’Alessio, Laura Flores, Ninel Conde, and multi-Grammy Award winner Ramón Ayala.
He also was praised by Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, who during the summer of 2020 nominated Lizcano for the DHR Hero Award, which recognizes employees and departments who exemplify the hospital system leadership’s vision to provide world-class health services.
“I have had a firsthand experience of his commitment and dedication to not only his work responsibility but equally his public service,” Canales stated in his nomination letter of July 29, 2020. “He is a man who wears multiple hats, always demonstrating true dedication to go the extra mile to serve our community.
“He is by far one of our greatest champions, always fighting for not only the people within his community but the entire Valley,” the House District 40 state lawmaker emphasized – points that helped Lizcano be selected for the DHR Hero Award.
And just a few days ago, Lizcano was publicly recognized by U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, U.S. Congressman Vicente González, D-Edinburg, and U.S. Congressman Filemón Vela, D-Brownsville, with a Congressional Certificate of Recognition and Congressional Record.
“In honor of being named ‘Man of the Year 2020’ by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, I congratulate you on your newest accolade,” Cuellar stated. “In addition, I commend you for your dedication to serving our community. I wish you only the best and lots of success in achieving your future endeavors.”
Lizcano takes such deserved praise with appreciation, yet also remains modest, so as to never fall victim to false pride, which is an unrealistically high opinion of oneself.
After all, he is always most closely associated with DHR Health, which is one of the most high-profile institutions in South Texas.
Anchored in southwest Edinburg, with a growing presence in neighboring McAllen, DHR Health offers some of the most comprehensive medical care on the U.S. southern border, with more than 1,400 nurses and 600+ physicians providing care in 70+ specialties and sub-specialties.
DHR Health is the flagship teaching hospital for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine and encompasses a general acute hospital with the only dedicated women’s hospital south of San Antonio, a rehabilitation hospital, a behavioral hospital, more than 70 clinics Valley-wide, advanced cancer services, the only transplant program in the Rio Grande Valley – and the only functioning 24/7 Level 1 Trauma Center south of San Antonio.
DHR Health is headquartered on a 130-acre site, with most of the facilities in southwest Edinburg but with a growing presence in McAllen, including its South Campus located immediately across Owassa Road in northeast McAllen.
For a person whose professional and personal experiences and powerful contacts are real, one of his most impressive achievements has been to do what is right and just with the control, influence, and authority that he does command.
Lizcano, in the views of many, has met – as the 5th century B.C. The Greek philosopher Plato described – the noble meaning of the term “measure of a man” – which refers to the character and integrity of an individual being measured by the way he responds to the power he is given.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Plato
The video from the Man and Woman of the Year 2020 is available at:
Biographical Sketch
Mario Lizcano
Lizcano was born in McAllen, grew up in Pharr, and graduated from Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School in 1987.
He attended the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg and the University of Texas-San Antonio.
Lizcano holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in Marketing and a minor in Biology and Chemistry.
Lizcano served as a Volunteer Firefighter with the rank of Rescue Captain for the Mission Fire Department for 15 years. He has also been a volunteer firefighter in the city of Pharr and Palmview, with a combined volunteer fire service of more than 20 years.
Lizcano served as the President of the Rio Grande Valley Firefighters and Fire Marshals Association (representing Fire Departments from Brownsville to Zapata) for six years. He was a certified Emergency Medical Technician through the Texas Department of Health and serves as an instructor for the Texas Extension Service from Texas A&M Fire Schools.
Lizcano has been named the Volunteer Fire Fighter of the Year for the City of Mission twice in his career and has been honored as the Firefighter of the Year for the Rio Grande Valley chosen by all local fire departments from Roma to Brownsville for his efforts in fire protection and fire prevention.
Lizcano has been named the Runner-Up for the Firefighter of the Year for the State of Texas (competing with all Fire Departments from all over the State of Texas. For his efforts in obtaining lifesaving devices (AED defibrillators) for surrounding rural fire departments through a federal grant, he was recognized by the American Heart Association and a research grant has been named in his honor at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.
Lizcano has been recognized by local organizations, schools, and clubs for his relentless efforts in the community.
He presently serves on the board for Guns and Hoses of McAllen, which is dedicated to assisting the families of fallen first responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and as a Civil Service Commission for the City of Pharr, serving as an advocate for public employees.
Lizcano also donates countless hours promoting and bringing awareness to the importance of health care, education, and community service.
He has been recognized by DHR Health for exemplary volunteer community service hours and is honored to be employed as Administrator of Corporate Affairs.
Lizcano was named the Man of the Year by the Rio Grande Valley Humanities during the Governor’s Ball for his volunteer services provided to the community and was recognized by the Texas Governor with a proclamation in his name.
Lizcano believes in serving others and is known for running in a 5k in full firefighter gear to raise money for others. He has helped and volunteered in more than 500 events throughout the Rio Grande Valley and the State of Texas.
Lizcano is the founding Chairman of the Board for the recently-created Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce and has recently founded the City of Pharr Economic Development Foundation, which earlier in January 2021 began its mission to promote economic development, financial literacy, and workforce training for the region.
PRESENT BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Chairman, Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce
Chairman, City of Edinburg Census Committee
Vice President, Pharr Economic Development Corporation
Vice President of Public Affairs, Edinburg Chamber of Commerce
Vice-Chairman, Civil Service, City of Pharr
Vice-Chairman, PSJA ISD C.A.T.E. Committee
Vice-Chairman, Hope Family Health Center
Commissioner, Pharr Housing Authority
Ambassador, Advocacy Alliance Center of Texas (AACT)
Community Board Member, United Blood Services (Vitalant)
Board Member, Pharr Golf Advisory Committee
Board Member, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Athletic Council
Board Member, Hidalgo County Health Services
Board Member, Guns and Hoses Advisory
Advisory Board Member, La Joya ISD Health Careers High School
PAST BOARD MEMBERSHIP
President, Rio Grande Valley Fire Fighters and Fire Marshals Association
President/Member, Mission Lions Club
President, University of Texas-Pan American Athletic Fund Board
Chairman, Mission Boys and Girls Club
Chairman, PSJA ISD C.A.T.E. Committee
Board Member, Easter Seals Society
Founding Board Member, Children’s Advocacy Center (Estrella’s House)
Rescue Captain/Volunteer Firefighter, Mission Volunteer Fire Department
Board Member, Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Advisory Board Member, McAllen ISD Education Foundation
Board Member, CASA of Hidalgo County
Board Member, Comfort House
Board Member, ACE Club (Assisting and Caring for Everyone)
Board Member, American Heart Association RGV Chapter
Board Member, Rio Grande Valley Partnership
Board Member, Mission Chamber of Commerce
Board Member, Pharr Volunteer Fire Department
Palmview Volunteer Fire Department
Board Member, City of Mission Ambulance Committee
Board Member, Teach for America
Leadership Class I, RGV Partnership
Pharr Leadership Program
Mission Leadership Program
Edinburg Leadership Program
••••••
(For more on this and other Texas legislative news stories that affect the Rio Grande Valley metropolitan region, please log on to Titans of the Texas Legislature (TitansoftheTexasLegislature.com)
