Sul Ross State University nursing student Chrisanta De La O has been selected as the recipient of the Dr. Charles Sponsel Award as a Rural Healthcare Trainee Pioneer by the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. The award will be presented during the National Rural Health Day Conference on Nov. 19 in Odessa.
The award honors a trainee who demonstrates exceptional commitment to rural medicine and community health throughout their education, commemorating the life and service of Dr. Charles Sponsel, a longtime community physician in Stanton who devoted his career to advancing geriatric and rural medicine. His leadership at TTUHSC and his dedication to developing rural family medicine residency programs continue to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals across West Texas.
De La O, who is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Sul Ross with an expected graduation date of May 2026, was nominated for her passion and dedication to serving in rural healthcare and for her impact as a compassionate caregiver and leader.
Originally from Presidio, De La O has called Alpine home since 2009, where she lives with her husband and four children. She earned her first degree from Sul Ross, a Bachelor of Arts in History, in 2017 before pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse.
“I am genuinely honored and honestly still a bit shocked to be considered for something so special,” De La O said. “Becoming a nurse has been my dream since high school. I graduated in 2007 but never pursued it because I didn’t think I was smart enough for nursing school. Yet, caring for others has always come naturally to me. To me, rural means family. We may not always have the newest equipment or the biggest hospitals, but what we do have is heart and a deep love for our community and the people we serve. I’ve seen this town come together for its own, and it’s a blessing to care for them with compassion, humility and pride.”
Dr. Minerva Gonzales, Director of Nursing at Sul Ross, praised De La O’s excellence in both academics and clinical performance.
“Chrisanta is an outstanding student who consistently delivers safe, high-quality care to her patients during clinical rotations,” she said. “She is a leader among her peers. This award is well-deserved, and the faculty and I are incredibly proud of her.”
For more information about the Sul Ross State University Nursing Program, visit www.sulross.edu/nursing.
Photo: Chrisanta De La O