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South Texas populations face many challenges when it comes to bone cancer.
A new presentation, “Bone Cancer Awareness,” is seeking to shed light on this issue.
The presentation at 11 a.m. central time Friday, July 17, 2026, features Dr. Jospeh Alderete, an orthopedic oncologist at UT Health San Antonio.
The presentation is part of the “Every Cancer, Every Story: A Series of Conversations” webinar series, a collaboration of the Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and Mays Cancer Center Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) at UT Health San Antonio.
register for the presentation!
About Dr. Joseph Alderete
COL (Ret.) Joseph F. Alderete Jr., MD, FAOA, is a limb restoration expert at UT Health San Antonio.
Dr. Alderete serves as Associate Professor, the Frances and Blackstone Dilworth Professor in Orthopedic Oncology, and Director of the RegenR8 Limb Optimization Research Laboratory.
A West Point graduate and Mayo Clinic–trained surgeon, Dr. Alderete has dedicated his career to caring for patients with complex limb injuries and advancing innovations that improve recovery, mobility, and quality of life.
Dr. Alderete served 30 years in the U.S. Army, leading surgical and medical teams around the world—including roles as Chief Surgeon for Task Force 32 in Iraq and Deputy Commander for Clinical Services in Afghanistan.
Throughout his service, he cared for severely injured service members, helped shape national standards in extremity trauma care, and championed breakthroughs in amputee rehabilitation and limb optimization.
Today, Dr. Alderete’s work brings together clinical care, research, and innovation. Through the RegenR8 lab and ongoing Department of Defense collaborations, he is developing new approaches in nerve repair, bone regeneration, osseointegration, and human performance.
register for the presentation!
Webinar Series on South Texas Community Conversations
The “Every Cancer, Every Story: A Series of Conversations” webinar series is a collaboration of the Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center (MRGB AHEC) and Mays Cancer Center Office of Community Engagement and Outreach at UT Health San Antonio.
The MRGB AHEC was established in 1993 in Laredo, Texas. Since then, it has served Webb, Zapata, La Salle, Duval, Jim Hogg, and Dimmit Counties. In 2022, services expanded to include Willacy and Starr counties.
The Mays Cancer Center’s mission is to decrease the burden of cancer in San Antonio, South Texas and beyond.
“Education and information can be shared with family members, friends, and networks. They will share opportunities for care, screening, and support available at the Mays Cancer Center,” said Dr. Julie Bazan, MRGB AHEC Director.
To help reach the South Texas community, the Mays Cancer Center is supported by Salud America!, a national health communication organization that creates relevant and research-based stories, videos, and tools to inspire people to start and support healthy changes where all families can live, learn, work, and play.
The program is led by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez.
Dr. Ramirez is chair and professor of Population Health Sciences and director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, and leads the office of Community Outreach and Engagement at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio.
By The Numbers
142
Percent
Expected rise in Latino cancer cases in coming years
