Eloisa G. Tamez has worn many hats over the course of her life: an American civil rights leader, a professional nurse, a lifelong learner, a professor and an officer of the United States Army’s Nursing Corps. In 2024, she added another accolade to her list of achievements: “Leader and Legend of Texas Nursing.”

The Texas Nurses Association recently selected Tamez, professor and associate dean for Student Success & Engagement at UTRGV School of Nursing, as one of five TNA members recognized as a Leader and Legend of Texas Nursing. The honor is awarded every two years to a nurse whose contribution to health had local, statewide and national transformational effects.

During a seminar on Feb. 5 at the UTRGV Clinical Education Building in Harlingen, Serena Bumpus, CEO of the Texas Nurses Association, shared Tamez’s history with aspiring nursing students.

“Dr. Tamez has accomplished a lot on behalf of this community – and is a big reason why many of you may be here with us today in this program,” Bumpus said. “We’re very fortunate here in Texas to have influential individuals like Dr. Tamez that we get to learn from, that we have access to and that we can emulate in the future and carry their legacies forward.”

Upon receiving her award, Tamez, who was president of the TNA’s District 26 for two terms and District 14 for two terms, spoke to the students about critical actions taken by the TNA to safeguard the nursing profession. These include stabilizing license costs and maintaining educational standards.

“It is important for you, as a professional nurse, to belong to an organization,” said Tamez, who is also co-founder of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses and the International Latino Nurse Faculty. “They protect us and our practice.”

Tamez and the 2024 nursing legends will be celebrated at a Leaders and Legends gala event on May 31 in San Antonio.