McALLEN, RGV - When Dr. Jorge Treviño first opened his medical practice in the mid-1950s there were only 20 or so doctors in McAllen.
Along with his longtime partner, Dr. Rafael Garza, Treviño established the McAllen Maternity Clinic, where the two physicians helped grow McAllen and its surrounding cities by delivering tens of thousands of babies. In one 24-hour period, Treviño delivered 19 babies to set a local record--one that could still stand today.
Dr. Treviño died last Sunday at the age of 90. He was caring for patients almost right up until his death.
“Dr Jorge Trevino's passing brings sadness to all physicians in the Rio Grande Valley. He saw patients up to the middle of this year. Nearly six decades of medical service to our community is a staggering gift of service,” said Rio Grande City physician Jake Margo, incoming president of the Hidalgo Starr Counties Medical Society and President of the Valley Chapter of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians.
“Dr. Trevino served as the Vice President of the Valley Chapter of Texas Academy of Family Physicians and was genuinely loved and respected by his peers. He treated generations of Valley residents who grieve his loss along with the entire medical community.”
Treviño practiced medicine in McAllen for almost 60 years. Before moving to the area in 1950 and establishing a medical practice in 1955, Treviño had been a physician in Reynosa. He was born in Monterrey, Mexico, in 1924 and went to medical school there. Following his graduation in 1948, he moved to the border area to fulfill his year of social service near Reynosa. Treviño had come to the United States to complete his residency in family medicine and obstetrics.
Over the years, Treviño held many positions on the staffs of both McAllen Medical Center and Rio Grande Regional Hospital. He also served as director of student health services at the University of Texas-Pan American, for five years. The Dr. Jorge H. Treviño Endowed Scholarship Fund has been set up to benefit local applicants to the UT-Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine.
Treviño was also a long-time member of both Texas Medical Association and Hidalgo-Starr County Medical Society He served as HSCMS president in 1985. Amanda Rodriguez, executive director of the Hidalgo-Starr County Medical Society, paid her tribute:
“Having practiced for almost 60 years is truly an indicator of Dr. Treviño’s passion for the practice of medicine. He exemplified a sincere dedication and commitment that built an endearing trust from his patients. He began his career in an era when family practitioners delivering babies was the norm. It is now rare that family practice doctors provide obstetrical care. And his many years of practice allowed him the opportunity to serve more than one generation of the families he cared for.”
Here is the official obituary for Dr. Treviño:
McAllen: Sunday, December 28, Dr. Jorge H. Treviño passed peacefully from this world, at the age of 90, while in the company of his wife and children. He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, deSaussure McFadden Treviño; one sister, Maria de la Luz Treviño de Montemayor; and his children: Carmen (David) Avila; Linda Treviño; Jorge Treviño; Jerry (Sandie) Treviño; Ana (Johnny) Valladarez; Marianna Treviño-Wright (Matt Crocker); and Tommy (Michelle) Treviño; as well as eight grandsons, six granddaughters, and 3 great-grandsons. He is preceded in death by his parents Tomas and Maria Elena Treviño; one sister, Ana Berta Ruiz; one brother, Hector Trevino; and three children: Jaime, Elizabeth and Patricia Treviño.
Born December 1, 1924, in Monterrey, N.L., Mexico, Dr. Treviño began medical school there in 1942. Following his graduation in 1948, he moved to the border area to fulfill his year of social service near Reynosa, where he briefly became a physician for PEMEX. In 1950, he came to the United States to complete his residency in family medicine and obstetrics, and in 1955, he settled in McAllen, where he established his medical practice. At the time, he was one of twenty physicians serving this small city, whose northside reached Harvey Drive. For two years, Dr. Treviño was very busy delivering babies, making house calls and covering the Emergency Room, in addition to caring for patients in his growing family practice. In 1957, he was joined by Dr. Rafael Garza, his longtime partner and esteemed colleague, with whom he established the McAllen Maternity Clinic, where these two helped grow McAllen and its surrounding cities by delivering tens of thousands of babies. In one 24-hour period, Dr. Treviño delivered 19 babies to set a local record--one we believe still stands.
Over the years, Dr. Treviño held many positions on the staffs of both McAllen Medical Center and Rio Grande Regional Hospital, where he served in various leadership roles, including president of the Hidalgo-Starr County Medical Society. He also served as Director of Student Health Services at the University of Texas-Pan American, for five years. His illustrious career in Medicine spanned over 59 years, during which he saw the creation of Medicaid and Medicare, as well as powerful antibiotics,
immunizations and other drugs that save and improve human life; not to mention the invention of technologically-advanced diagnostic tools that doctors could only have dreamed of some 50 years ago. These developments in medicine, along with his diligent practice and commitment to quality care for his patients, contributed to his success in serving multiple generations of many families.
After his seven children were reared and educated, Dr. Treviño was able to split his passion for medicine with his passion for big game hunting. In March, 2007, he completed his quest for Africa's Dangerous Seven, by adding an elephant to his trophy collection. In recent years, he enjoyed closing every day not in the delivery room or ER, but in the taxidermied zoo, in his home, where a fantastic array of exotic animals attest to a lifetime of outdoor adventure and serve as a permanent reminder that life is a gift to be lived to the fullest. The family would like to acknowledge the care and assistance of Maggie Pruneda, who helped us provide for Dr. Treviño's comfort at home.
Visitations will be at Kreidler Funeral Home on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015 from 5-8 with a rosary at 7 p.m. and Friday, Jan. 2 from 5-8 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3 at the 1st Presbyterian Church in McAllen. Interment will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests the gift of donations be made to the Dr. Jorge H. Treviño Endowed Scholarship Fund to benefit local applicants to the UT-RGV Medical School. Checks with this designation may be sent to: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 1201 West University Drive, ITTB 1.210, Edinburg, Texas 78739-2999.
