Dr. Eddy Bergés, Family Medicine Physician -- who was part of the first class to ever graduate from the UTRGV / Knapp Family Practice Residency Program in Mercedes – has decided to remain in the Mid-Valley and is seeing patients in Weslaco. Dr. Bergés has gone into medical practice with Dr. Julio Saviñon, Internal & Bariatric Medicine Physician, at Rio Grande Medicine, located at 902 S Airport Drive, Suite 3 in Weslaco. Dr. Bergés will be providing a wide range of medical services -- including preventive health and management of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure -- to adult patients 18 and older, including geriatric patients.

Dr. Bergés previously served as a Chief Resident at the UTRGV / Knapp Family Health Center in Mercedes. In June, Dr. Bergés along with five other “trail-blazing” doctors made history as the first graduates of any type of medical residency program in the Mid-Valley.

Prior to coming to the Valley, Dr. Bergés practiced medicine in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. He completed medical school at the Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña Escuela de Medicina in the Dominican Republic. He also completed an internship at Hospital HIMA San Pablo in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Dr. Bergés said he feels at home in the Valley, in part because of the Hispanic culture and the year-round climate.

“I fell in love with this area because of the people. Everybody here is really nice and the people are very warm. I also like the weather and that there’s a beach close by.”

With his cousin also living in the Valley, Dr. Bergés said his whole family, including his wife, son, and daughter, have been able to adapt and really enjoy it here.

“It was a really great experience at Knapp Medical Center,” Dr. Bergés said. “Knapp became a teaching hospital. The hospital is growing in the right direction, with more doctors right there in the hospital.”

Dr. Bergés is seeing patients by appointment at Rio Grande Medicine in Weslaco as well as through “tele-medicine” consultations. For more information, please call (956) 619-8000 or 956-421-2757.

Congressman Vicente Gonzalez announced $86,435.60 in funding for firefighter safety and operations in Donna, Edinburg, and Pharr in the 15th District of Texas. These grants have been awarded as part of the Assistance for Firefighters Program (AFG) by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

“Firefighters are heroes and serve our society well by protecting our life, property and safety,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “They are an integral part of our community and I am proud to support these brave men and women who run toward danger on a daily basis to help others. These funds will help support the firefighters in our community with safety and operation costs so they can better serve us.”

Full grant amounts below:

City of Edinburg: $55,829.55

City of Donna: $5,833.33

City of Pharr: $24,772.72

As we wrap up our summer and prepare for the fall, reflect on the months behind and focus on the months ahead. If you have a paper and pen, draw a photo. A photo of what makes you feel most safe. All of our photos will look different from others. Yours may show your home, others may have their families. We are all very different and view our own life differently than others. While you remind yourself of what makes you feel safe, think about what may help your children or teenagers feel safe. Did you know that strong family bonds are crucial in a child or young person’s life? Have your children draw their photo of what is safe for them. Take some time to talk about what each of you drew. Use that time to have a conversation and understand how you may be able to help them feel safe. Also, be sure to lock up or safeguard any prescription drugs and/or alcohol in your household. With children and teenagers home more, it is important to keep everyone’s safety in mind. If you do not have a cabinet with a lock, find a safe place to store them in order to keep them out of reach of anyone under the age of 21. UNIDAD Coalition is working hard (virtually) to provide activities and information to families throughout Hidalgo County. Call 787-7111 if you want ideas on ways to engage your youth and to ensure any alcohol or prescription medications are stored safely.

Comforting Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, thank you that as a believer in Jesus Christ I can rest in the same promise that You made to Israel in Isaiah 41:10. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

In this time of unprecedented chaos and uncertainty in our nation and world, I ask You to lead me in the paths of righteousness. Teach me how to draw comfort from You on a daily basis. Direct me to Scriptures, music, and fellowship opportunities that exalt Your Name and encourage me.

If get anxious or overburdened with all that is happening, remind me to practice what is written in the old hymn, All Your Anxiety:

“Is there a heart over bound by sorrow? Is there a life weighed down by care? Come to the cross, each burden bearing. All your anxiety leave it there. All your anxiety, all your care, bring it to the mercy seat, leave it there; never a burden He can’t bear, never a friend like Jesus.”

Enable me to share the same comfort You are giving me with those You have put in my realm of influence, such as my friends, relatives, children, and grandchildren. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

In Jesus’ precious Name, thank you for the comfort of Your Word, the Bible. Amen.