Valley Baptist Health System invites you to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with us. Lasting from mid-September through October, Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to explore the vibrant cultures, enduring traditions and impactful contributions of Hispanic Americans.

Every day, across our organization, teammates with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives collaborate to deliver high-quality care and services. Our collective knowledge and strong teamwork drive the challenging work we do.

During this month, we will share the stories of members of our Valley Baptist Health System family who play vital roles in our mission to provide compassionate, award-winning care to our communities. We conclude our series with Aurora Ybarra, RN, MSN, ADON of Surgical Services at Valley Baptist-Harlingen.

Aurora Ybarra, RN, MSN,
ADON of Surgical Services at Valley Baptist-Harlingen

How does this year’s National Hispanic Heritage Month theme – ‘Together, We Are More / Unidos, Somos Más’ – resonate with you?

The theme “Together, We Are More / Unidos, Somos Más” reminds me that our greatest achievements come through collaboration and service to others. My Hispanic heritage instilled in me the values of hard work, resilience, and compassion, which guide how I lead and support my team. These values help create a culture of trust, excellence, and teamwork, allowing us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the patients and communities we serve.

How has your heritage or personal experience influenced how you approach your work?

My heritage and personal experiences have taught me the importance of putting people first and treating everyone with respect and compassion. Growing up, I saw the value of supporting one another through challenges and celebrating successes together. Those lessons influence how I lead today by fostering open communication, encouraging collaboration, and creating an environment where every team member feels valued. In healthcare, those connections are especially important because the work we do impacts not only our patients, but also their families and our community.