For over 40 years, Mary Ceron has been taking care of premature babies at South Texas Health System McAllen.

The neonatal intensive care unit has been like home for Ceron for over four decades. She said she has cared for more than 1,000 babies, helping them get stronger and eventually go home with their families.  

“Once I started working the NICU, I knew this is where I belonged,” Ceron said. 

According to Ceron, being a NICU nurse is something special.

“I did have a son that passed away when he was 6 months old, so whenever we have a baby that passes away, I can just relate to those parents and tell them ‘I know what you're going through, I know the pain,’” Ceron said.

That compassion is what led Ceron to pursue her passion for nursing. She said her goal has been to help people.

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Ceron became a licensed vocational nurse, and eventually a registered nurse. She worked outside the Rio Grande Valley for several years until she decided to come back home.

For Ceron, seeing a baby leave the NICU can bring a whirlwind of emotions.

“It's sad for us because we've dealt with this baby for about three months, but it's a very good feeling to know that you had something to do with him getting better and with them being able to go home,” Ceron said.

The NICU wing at STHS McAllen has grown since Ceron started working there.

The wing opened in 1982 and was the first NICU wing in the Valley at the time, and picked up preemies from Cameron and Starr counties. 

“It was a very small unit, maybe 10 beds,” Ceron recalled.

The NICU unit now has 26 beds. 

Mary Ceron is Made in the 956. 

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