Andrea Chavez recently earned her MBA degree while working 40 hours a week as the senior executive assistant to the president and CEO of Valley Baptist Health System, James Eastham. (Courtesy photo)
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Valley Baptist Health System executive assistant inspires others by earning MBA
June 28, 2011 5:31 PM
As senior executive assistant to the president and CEO of Valley Baptist Health System, Andrea Chavez is focused on her high-level work at the largest health system in Cameron County. Despite working full-time in a busy office, the mother of two found time to earn her master’s degree in business administration.
In fact, Chavez literally worked all her way through college at night, initially earning an associate’s of applied science degree in business/office technology from Texas State Technical College, then her bachelor’s degree in business administration and finally her MBA from the University of Texas-Brownsville.
She did all of that while working 40 to 50 hours each week, working her way up from an entry-level position to now assisting the president and CEO of Valley Baptist Health System.
Chavez attributes her enthusiasm for a higher education to the exposure to well-educated professionals she interacted with while working at Valley Baptist.
“I came into contact with such a remarkable group of physicians, nurses, administrators and other individuals with diverse backgrounds and impressive skill sets. This inspired me to enhance my own abilities,” she said. “The only way I was going to do that was to get an education.”
“During my 12 years at Valley Baptist, I would like to believe that I have inspired many of my co-workers to obtain their college education,” Chavez added. “I often share my story of how I attended college at night for many years, averaging nine credit hours each semester, and never gave it a second thought. It was something I had to do. My advice to them was that there is never an ideal time to start school — you just have to start.”
“I also shared with them that you don’t have to be Einstein to attend college. You just have to be disciplined enough to finish the program.”
Along the way, Chavez also found time to be part of a Leadership Harlingen class, a program which helps train future leaders about issues facing the community.
“In my role as senior executive assistant, I essentially have a front-row seat as to how a large health care organization operates from a national perspective, and understand the complexities involved in the care and well-being of our patients,” Chavez said.
Chavez kept her maiden name in honor of her father, who was a veteran who passed away when she was only 10 years old. At that time, her mother was left to raise six children — and worked two jobs to make ends meet.
“I would like to thank my mother for instilling the value of hard work and education, and for encouraging me to never give up,” Chavez said.
Chavez and her husband, Edward Escobedo, have two daughters: Mitzi, who is entering her sophomore year at Harlingen High School South and is currently ranked number 12 in her class; and Brittany, who is following in her mother’s footsteps by attending college at UT-Brownsville. Brittany, a music and education major, is a Master Chorale / Bravo Opera member — and hopes to become a music teacher.
Submit Slice of Life suggestions to City Editor Charlene Vandini at 430-6244 or charlenev@valleystar.com and Night City Editor Ed Asher at 430-6290 or eda@valleystar.com
In fact, Chavez literally worked all her way through college at night, initially earning an associate’s of applied science degree in business/office technology from Texas State Technical College, then her bachelor’s degree in business administration and finally her MBA from the University of Texas-Brownsville.
She did all of that while working 40 to 50 hours each week, working her way up from an entry-level position to now assisting the president and CEO of Valley Baptist Health System.
Chavez attributes her enthusiasm for a higher education to the exposure to well-educated professionals she interacted with while working at Valley Baptist.
“I came into contact with such a remarkable group of physicians, nurses, administrators and other individuals with diverse backgrounds and impressive skill sets. This inspired me to enhance my own abilities,” she said. “The only way I was going to do that was to get an education.”
“During my 12 years at Valley Baptist, I would like to believe that I have inspired many of my co-workers to obtain their college education,” Chavez added. “I often share my story of how I attended college at night for many years, averaging nine credit hours each semester, and never gave it a second thought. It was something I had to do. My advice to them was that there is never an ideal time to start school — you just have to start.”
“I also shared with them that you don’t have to be Einstein to attend college. You just have to be disciplined enough to finish the program.”
Along the way, Chavez also found time to be part of a Leadership Harlingen class, a program which helps train future leaders about issues facing the community.
“In my role as senior executive assistant, I essentially have a front-row seat as to how a large health care organization operates from a national perspective, and understand the complexities involved in the care and well-being of our patients,” Chavez said.
Chavez kept her maiden name in honor of her father, who was a veteran who passed away when she was only 10 years old. At that time, her mother was left to raise six children — and worked two jobs to make ends meet.
“I would like to thank my mother for instilling the value of hard work and education, and for encouraging me to never give up,” Chavez said.
Chavez and her husband, Edward Escobedo, have two daughters: Mitzi, who is entering her sophomore year at Harlingen High School South and is currently ranked number 12 in her class; and Brittany, who is following in her mother’s footsteps by attending college at UT-Brownsville. Brittany, a music and education major, is a Master Chorale / Bravo Opera member — and hopes to become a music teacher.
Submit Slice of Life suggestions to City Editor Charlene Vandini at 430-6244 or charlenev@valleystar.com and Night City Editor Ed Asher at 430-6290 or eda@valleystar.com
