Caring Campus Employee Spotlight: Patricia Nevarez

Former St. Philip’s College (SPC) student Patricia Nevarez now serves as Assistant Professor and Clinical Coordinator, preparing the next generation of cardiovascular professionals.

“I lived the culture firsthand and wanted to give back,” she said.

Professor Nevarez has worked at the college for six years, first assisting with the Surgical Technology Program before transitioning to the Invasive Cardiovascular Technology Program. She sat in the same chair as the students she now prepares for critical roles in cardiac catheterization labs and other cardiovascular settings.

She is pursuing a Doctor of Education in Healthcare Leadership and Education at Nebraska Methodist College and holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Texas Tech University, along with associate degrees in surgical technology and invasive cardiovascular technology.

Professor Nevarez began her career in sterile processing, later working as a surgical technologist and in invasive cardiovascular procedures at a military hospital. During COVID-19, she served as an Adjunct Instructor at SPC while continuing clinical practice at Brooke Army Medical Center. She later accepted a full-time faculty role and now also teaches continuing education courses for the Alamo Colleges District, teaching courses in Sterile Processing and Electrocardiography.

Guided by the college’s Caring Campus initiative, Nevarez centers her teaching on empathy, accountability, and high standards.

“I reflect on what it means to sit in the student’s chair,” she said.

She fosters a supportive classroom culture with something as simple as offering a cup of coffee to her students at the beginning of class and remains connected to graduates in the industry. A recent text from a former student summed up her impact at the college and in the health industry: “Thank you for advocating for us.”