CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Appearances can be deceiving, especially for nursing students completing clinicals in real hospital settings. 这一刻，病人可能看起来很稳定，下一刻，他们的病情可能突然转变。 That’s exactly what happened to Delfino Salinas III ’25. 起初，他的病人看起来很好。 但几分钟后他回来时，发现她行动迟缓，有认知能力下降的迹象。 

“Trusting my instincts and training, I quickly performed a blood glucose check and discovered that my patient was hypoglycemic,” Salinas said. “This moment stands out to me because it highlighted the crucial thinking and quick decision-making skills that TAMU-CC has instilled in me. This experience truly embodies the kind of impact we, as Islanders, can have on the lives of others.” 

萨利纳斯被命名为2025年之春 优秀岛民毕业生 护理与健康科学学院 He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing on Saturday, May 17, during the university’s largest commencement ceremony in history.  

对于萨利纳斯来说，在他上大学之前发生的一件事决定了他从事医学事业，那件事的中心是一个简单的善举。 

“It wasn’t until my grandma was placed in hospice that I truly understood the profound impact nurses have, not only on their patients but also on the families they care for,” Salinas said. “I still remember the compassion and support these incredible nurses provided to my grandma and my family during such a difficult time. It was in that moment that I realized I could combine my passion for science with my desire to help others.” 

护理使萨利纳斯从他的家乡爱丁堡来到了岛大学。 他第一次参观皇冠体育是在他高二的时候。 

“I was captivated by the positive atmosphere, the stunning coastal location, and most importantly, the unwavering support provided by the university’s faculty and staff,” Salinas said.  

萨利纳斯很快开始在他的新家留下自己的印记。 在他的第一年，他成为了一个岛屿大使，这个角色使他能够通过带领校园参观和参加社区活动来招募未来的岛民。 他还参与了一个动手研究项目，利用虚拟现实帮助护理专业的学生了解败血症和中风。 He also joined Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society and expanded his clinical experience as a student nurse technician at Driscoll Children’s Hospital.   

可以想象，平衡学业和工作并非易事，就在萨利纳斯开始找到自己的节奏时，悲剧发生了。 

“In the fall of 2022, halfway through my first semester, I lost both my grandparents, the people who had been the cornerstones of my life,” Salinas said. “Everything came crashing down. 我觉得自己与根脱节了，不确定自己是否有力量继续下去。 但在那深深的悲痛中，我内心的某种东西被触动了。 I realized that my grandparents wouldn’t want me to surrender. 每一堂课，每一项作业，都成为我向他们致敬的方式。 With fierce dedication, I finished the semester stronger than I ever thought possible.” 

不到一年之后，萨利纳斯面临着另一个难以想象的损失。 

“In the summer of 2023, my brother-in-law was killed in a horrific 16-wheeler accident,” Salinas said. “In the blink of an eye, my sister, freshly postpartum with a two-week-old baby and overwhelmed with the joy of motherhood, found herself shattered. Before my nephew was born, my sister and her husband had asked me to be my nephew’s godfather, but now I also had to step up as a father figure. In that moment, I realized that finishing my education wasn’t just for me, it was for that little boy, too.” 

萨利纳斯带着新的决心回到了皇冠体育。 他在学业上表现优异，并获得了几项奖学金，帮助他继续学业，包括HRSA SDS奖学金，约翰和奥古斯塔·多恩捐赠年度奖学金，凯拉·休伊特纪念奖学金，赖特家庭奖学金捐赠，查普曼·胡林斯奖学金捐赠等。 

“Delfino has demonstrated academic excellence, maintaining an impressive 3.8 GPA, and earning a place on the Dean’s List in multiple semesters,” said Amy McClure, TAMU-CC Assistant Clinical Professor. “His resilience and determination in overcoming adversity are truly commendable.” 

经过艰难的时期和艰苦的工作，萨利纳斯成功地毕业了。 His next step: serving as a registered nurse at Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley. 

“Since my first day as an Islander, I have experienced significant personal and academic growth,” Salinas said. “Thanks to the education and values I’ve received at TAMU-CC, I’m not only a more confident and compassionate individual, but also ready to take on the world as an Islander, bringing care and compassion to the communities I serve.”