Buchmueller family's legacy of giving continues to El Paso Hunt School of Nursing
students with latest gift.
Karina Damian believes nurses have the power to transform lives during times of
illness.
"People will not always remember our name or even what we did for them, but they’ll remember how we made them feel,” Damian said.
Damian is on track to become a nurse by attending the Hunt School of Nursing at Texas
Tech Health El Paso.
Achieving that dream sometimes requires help. Enter El Pasoans David and Flo
Buchmueller, who who, during a special luncheon on July 22, gave a generous $10,000
gift to the university to support nursing scholarships. This gift will provide financial
assistance to two deserving students, Karina Damian and Adolfo Grajeda, each
receiving $5,000 to further their nursing education. Both are members of the class of
2025.
The Buchmuellers met the scholarship recipients at the luncheon. David shared his
background in health care, recounting his journey from working as an orderly and janitor
to becoming a CEO, and engaged with the students about their studies.
Flo also shared her own experience of helping out at a hospital and the importance of
being compassionate as a nurse.
"Once, when I was volunteering at a hospital, there was a patient who was crying and his nose was running," Flo said. "And I went and wiped his nose.”
A health care worker then yelled at her that the patient had a very serious illness that
put her at risk.
“And I said, 'If that's what it's going to be, I'm glad I helped somebody,’” Flo recalled about her experience.
Damian, a graduate of Maxine L. Silva Health Magnet High School in El Paso, is
beyond grateful for the scholarship.
“This scholarship is a blessing,” she said. “The Buchmuellers, without knowing who I
am, have graciously provided financial support to help me accomplish my goals.
Something they said to me today I will write down and use for inspiration: Don’t just care
for patients, care about patients. One day, I hope to have the means to give back to my
community in the same way.”
Grajeda, a graduate of Americas High School in El Paso, shared his thoughts on the
impact of the scholarship and his future career.
“As a nurse, I’ll be with my patients for hours on end to provide care. It’s important for
me to be their voice among the health care team, respect their wishes, and work toward
their health goals,” he said. “This blessing of a scholarship means I’m able to focus my
energy on school instead of worrying about finances. It’s a motivator to push forward
and excel in my classes.”
The Buchmuellers have been steadfast supporters of Texas Tech Health El Paso since
1996, contributing to various programs including the Texas Tech Physicians of El
Paso’s Breast Care Center, the Hunt School of Dental Medicine's Dean's Excellence
Fund and multiple Foster School of Medicine white coat gifts.
“We’re honored to support students like Karina and Adolfo in their journey to become
the compassionate and skilled nurses our community needs,” said David Buchmueller.
“Our longstanding commitment to Texas Tech Health El Paso reflects our belief in the
vital role that education and health care play in building a strong and healthy
community. By providing these scholarships, we hope to ease the financial burden on
these dedicated students, allowing them to focus on their studies and ultimately give
back to our Borderplex in meaningful ways. Supporting future nurses aligns with our
ongoing efforts to improve health care and education in El Paso.”
David has an extensive background in the healthcare industry, having served for 25
years as a hospital or health system CEO, including four years at Providence Memorial
Hospital in the early 1990s. Flo, recognized for her volunteerism as well as her
executive leadership of two not-for-profit organizations is an inductee of the El Paso
Women's Hall of Fame. She has dedicated her time to numerous organizations,
including the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, Humane Society of El Paso,
the YWCA, Sunrise Rotary, and the Rio Grande Cancer Foundation.
In 2018, the Buchmuellers were honored with the Project Amistad Lucy G. Acosta
Humanitarian Award for their exceptional contributions to the community.
YOU CAN HELP
At Texas Tech Health El Paso, we're committed to growing our own health care heroes
and changing the state of health care in our Borderplex. For more information about
how to help, please contact andrea.tawney@ttuhsc.edu or craig.holden@ttuhsc.edu or
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