ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT INNOVATION &

Hernandez helped revise the mission of University Health System. Under his guidance, UHS mission became “to improve the good health of the community through high quality compassionate patient care, innovation, education and discovery.”

He remembered a poster on the bulletin board in the quad that read “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” That quote resonated with him, and he has used that principle as part of his personal and career growth. Another quote that has helped guide him is Abraham Lincoln’s “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

“Both of those quotes have been north stars in helping me find my direction,” he said.

Hernandez described Central as a place where he, his brothers and sons succeeded because of the great academic support and structure provided. He said Central does its best to prepare students for the future.

As a longtime student in Marianist education, Hernandez said the characteristic of a Marianist education that resonated most with him is educate for adaptation and change. “I’m a change agent. We’re constantly evolving and our knowledge of the planet, the country, our city changes all the time. Change is normal,” he said.

Hernandez said he thought about becoming a priest or a teacher but ultimately decided on a career in law. Prior to joining University Health System in 1990, Hernandez served as Chief of the Civil Section in the Bexar County District Attorney's Office and started his career as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of San Antonio. At University Health, he was the first in-house attorney and became more involved in healthcare law. He said that is what helped him bridge medical issues with county issues.

In 2018, Hernandez updated the organization’s mission, vision and values. The mission of University Health System is to improve the good health of the community through high quality compassionate patient care, innovation, education and discovery. Its vision is “We are leading the way to be one of the nation’s most trusted health institutions.”

Today, University Hospital is the most preferred hospital in San Antonio, with the strongest reputation for providing high quality care (according to NRC Market Insights, a national consumer research organization).

Among his numerous professional and service affiliations, he serves as:

• a member of the Code Red Task Force on Access to Health Care in Texas;

• chair of the board of the Teaching Hospitals of Texas;

• vice chair for the Center for Health Care Services, the mental health authority for Bexar County;

• chair of Texas Hospital Association and Daughters of Charity (now Ascension DePaul Services).

He was awarded the Reynaldo G. Garza Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 by the State Bar of Texas, Hispanic Issues Section, for his commitment to addressing concerns affecting the Hispanic community and for advancing diversity and access to justice in the practice of law.

Hernandez credits his parents with inspiring his spirit to serve others.