Trauma and Critical Care

South Texas Health System McAllen is an ACS-verified Level I Trauma Center delivering complete trauma care — from initial resuscitation through surgery, intensive care, rehabilitation and recovery. As the highest level of trauma readiness in the region, our program is built on clinical capability, subspecialty coverage and continuous quality improvement.

Nationally Verified Readiness and Infrastructure

Level I verification by the American College of Surgeons confirms that trauma care systems, personnel and resources are fully operational 24/7, supported by data, research and performance oversight.

Key standards

• 24/7 in-house trauma surgeons and full subspecialty coverage
• Orthopedic and neurosurgical coverage
• Trauma-dedicated anesthesia and OR readiness
• Trauma ICU and advanced critical care
• National trauma registry participation – TQIP/NTDB

Clinical Capabilities – Advanced Trauma Care and Immediate Intervention

STHS McAllen provides rapid trauma resuscitation, expedited access to the operating room, advanced critical care and integrated rehabilitation beginning early in the patient’s recovery pathway.

Capabilities include:

• Helipad and air medical access for regional transfers
• Rapid trauma resuscitation
• Immediate OR availability
• Trauma-focused critical care
• Massive transfusion protocol
• Early rehabilitation coordination
• Air and ground transport integration

Patient Story: Quique Rodriguez

Enrique "Quique" Rodriguez was involved in a serious car accident. The trauma team at South Texas Health System McAllen helped save his life. Quique is now almost fully recovered and is studying to become a nurse. Watch his story:

Teaching Role – Academic Training and Trauma Leadership

As a teaching hospital and Graduate Medical Education training site, STHS McAllen contributes to trauma education, research and clinical development across the region.

Academic functions

• Training the next generation of trauma physicians
• Resident and GME trauma education
• Clinical research and advancement
• Faculty-based teaching and mentorship
• Support for lower-level trauma centers

Education and community outreach

• Advanced Trauma Life Support Course of the American College of Surgeons – ATLS
• Stop the Bleed
• Reality Education for Drivers
• Mental Health First Aid Training
• Critical Incident Stress Management
• Local pre-hospital provider continuing medical education as requested

Our trauma team is also focused on injury prevention. We have a dedicated injury prevention team committed to identifying patterns of injury and directing our prevention efforts accordingly. Areas of focus include:

• Falls prevention
• Bike safety
• All-terrain vehicle safety
• Distracted-driving safety
• Pedestrian-related injuries
• Construction-related injuries
• Alcohol and drug related injuries

Learn more about injury prevention →

Cutting-edge trauma research

Research into advanced methods and processes of care is a core function of the trauma team at STHS McAllen. We currently have active protocols evaluating medications that may improve outcomes following brain injury, methods to rapidly diagnose coagulopathy, and advanced methods to treat severe chest injury, such as rib plating reconstructive surgery.

Performance Improvement – Continuous Quality Oversight and Safety Monitoring

STHS McAllen maintains a formal trauma Performance Improvement and Patient Safety (PIPS) program to ensure outcomes are continuously measured, benchmarked and improved in alignment with ACS Level I standards.

Program components

• Data-driven quality improvement in every phase of care
• Trauma registry case review and benchmarking
• TQIP/NTDB national data reporting
• Evidence-based practice integration
• Real-time feedback and corrective action
• Peer review across multidisciplinary teams

Regional Role – Referral Destination and Regional Trauma Resource

As a regional trauma leader, STHS McAllen supports EMS partners, referral hospitals and system coordination to ensure rapid access to definitive trauma care. The presence of a Level I Trauma Center in McAllen improves regional response capacity, decreases transfer times and expands access to advanced trauma resources for critically injured patients.

Regional functions

• Regional destination for high-acuity trauma patients
• TRAC-V referral integration
• EMS education and coordination
• Inter-facility clinical collaboration
• Air and ground transport alignment
• Support for trauma system development

Trauma Physician Team

L to R: Dr. Rendon, Dr. Hovorka,
Dr. Simpson and Dr. Palacio

Carlos H. Palacio, MD, FACS

Dr. Palacio is the Director of Research for the trauma program and Director for the Advanced Trauma and Life Support course at STHS McAllen. He is also the local Program Director of the General Surgery Residency at the Valley Health System GME Consortium, and an instructor for the American College of Surgeons Stop the Bleeding class.

John W. Hovorka, MD, FACS

Dr. Hovorka is the Trauma Medical Director at STHS McAllen. He is the local Associate Program Director of the General Surgery Residency at the Valley Health System GME Consortium. He is also a Volunteer Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley General Surgery Department and Family Medicine Department.

J. Jesus Rendon, MD, FACS, DABS

Dr. Rendon is the Associate Trauma Medical Director at STHS McAllen. He also serves as the Program Site Director for San Antonio Brooke Army Medical Center Acute Care Surgery and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship. He is committed to teaching and mentoring residents, fellows and medical students.

LeRone Simpson, MD, FACS

Dr. Simpson is a board-certified General Surgeon and Surgical Critical Care Intensivist. He has been serving the RGV since 2016 as a Trauma Surgeon at STHS McAllen. He has continued interest in research and is involved in several ongoing clinical research projects.