Dean talks about his goals for the School of Medicine
PHOTO COURTESY HERIBERTO PEREZ ZUNIGA
Dr. Everardo Cobos was recently appointed dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine and shared his goals under his new leadership.
Cobos, appointed on Feb. 1, said his journey in the medical field has taken him to different places all across the world, learning and interacting with physicians and scientists and wondering how he could bring the infrastructure to UTRGV.
“My path into medicine took me across various places in Texas, California, Washington state and even in South Korea,” he said.
Cobos, who previously served as interim dean since Summer 2025, said his time in the position helped him oversee the School of Medicine from a 360 point of view.
“Prior to being interim dean, I led one of the seven departments in the school … which was the department of Medicine and Oncology but, as an interim dean, I got to see a larger scope of the school, the students, various researches, other departments,” he said. “And so, it gave me a better comprehension of the talent and challenges.”
Among his priorities, Cobos said he would like to continue attracting outstanding medical students, mentioning the School of Medicine has received over 6,000 applications for 55 spots available.
He added he focuses on students who are graduating, by providing them with opportunities to pursue their residencies and specialties in medicine, while being able to do it in the Rio Grande Valley.
The dean said research is one of the school’s main goals. Areas of research include diabetes, dementia and cancer, hoping for patients to receive care and access to the research treatments.
According to Cobos, the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center, which opened Oct. 8, will be of great help in terms of building clinical programs and a space for patients to have access to the distinct outstanding doctors while also integrating the research and education.
Kimberly Elizondo, oncology administrative director for the center, spoke about her experience working with Cobos during his time as interim dean.
“I had the privilege of working side by side with him in a very intimate setting because it was just him, one registered nurse and I,” Elizondo said. “That has now become a team of over 30 in three years. … Working with him side by side showed me what kind of leader he was: patient, compassionate and a true teacher at heart. Education is his core.”
The director said Cobos’ dedication to those around him, providing knowledge and education to both students and staff, is important as he has become a dean recognized for his fairness and equality all throughout the community.
“I would like to tell students, you know, if there was a student, whether it is a high school or college student, and they have aspirations to be a doctor, be a scientist, be an engineer,” Cobos said. “… There was a feeling among those young people that they had to leave the Valley. … I would say to those young people, ‘You have an excellent facility right in your backyard.’”
–Carlos Castañeda contributed to this story.
