Tuesday's Internet Edition, September 07, 2010.
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HONORED Pictured are, from left, Mayor Sam Fugate, Kingsville Nursing and Rehabilitation administrator Kristina Munoz, Dr. Jose M. Ugarte and Adelina Ugarte. (Photo by Maria Rodriguez)
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The Kingsville physician was presented with a plaque during a recent surprise party for him at the facility, and Mayor Sam Fugate read a proclamation, which stated, In March of 2007, KNRC was struck by a tornado and the residents had to be evacuated. Dr. Ugarte took it upon himself to come the morning of the evacuation and make sure everyone was okay.
The proclamation also designated Aug. 15 as Dr. Jose Ugarte Day in Kingsville. The proclamation and party all came as a surprise; I feel good and very honored, Ugarte said. I was just doing my regular rounds when they all surprised me, he said. I am not doing anything out of the ordinary; this is my job. The proclamation also noted that after the evacuation he also went to Corpus Christi where the majority of KNRC residents were relocated.
Dr. Ugarte communicated with other facility medical directors to advise them of the situation.
After the residents were returned to KNRC, he assessed all 100 residents.
About 100 friends, family and coworkers attended the party.
Dr. Ugarte is someone we can trust and count on, I am very thankful to have him here, said Kristina Munoz, administrator of Kingsville Nursing and Rehabilitation.
Dr. Ugarte was born on Aug. 27, 1941, in Camaguey, Cuba, and received his license to practice medicine in Spain in July of 1968.
He has practiced in several Texas cities before relocating to Kingsville where he opened his office in July of 1992.
He is affiliated with Christus Spohn Hospital Kleberg where he held the position of Chief of Staff from November 1998 until November 2001. Ugarte has been the Medical Director for the Kingsville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center since 1999.
Dr. Ugarte has 10 children three boys and seven girls.
He said his wife Adelina has been very supportive of his career.
Dr. Ugarte is my idol; when we need him he is always there with a positive attitude, showing lots of compassion and care toward all the patients with great respect and at his best, said Edna Riviera, KNRC nursing director