Connecting With Community

Nurse Practitioner Sandy Trevino is meeting the acute care needs of CHRISTUS St. Mary’s Clinic patients.

A first-generation Houstonian, Trevino’s mom was from Mexico and father from Harlingen. After receiving her LVN through HCC, she worked at Texas Children’s Hospital for several years, while also finishing her bachelor’s degree at UT Houston. Her nursing career has led her to a variety of positions and learning opportunities. “Prior to the pandemic, I was living in California and working as an occupational health nurse for Chevron,” Trevino said. She also started working on her Nurse Practitioner degree during that time, primarily to expand her scope of practice.

With the onset of the pandemic, Trevino and her wife decided to move back to Houston to be closer to family.

In May, she joined the team at St. Mary’s Clinic. “My patients are established patients who need immediate care to address their illness,” Trevino said. “It could be anything from neck and shoulder pain, a stye, stomach issues, and more.” If time permits, she also provides care to new and established patients.

In addition to the mentoring she receives from her fellow employees and her own personal growth, Trevino finds caring for St. Mary’s Clinic patients extremely rewarding.

“It means connecting with my community – the community I come from. I, myself, and many of my extended friends and family have been under-resourced at some time or another. Being part of CHRISTUS equips me with the tools and opportunities to help combat health disparities in our community.”