2024 I Care Winner is Independent, Leads with Kindness

Geimys Cabrera Cruz started her medical career 30 years ago in her native country of Cuba. However, even as a young woman, she saw the limitations she would face in her politically volatile and economically disadvantaged homeland. So, in true keeping with her lifelong independent nature, she left dear family, close friends and a beautiful countryside to come to the United States on her own. “I was alone when I left Cuba. Alone when I flew to the United States and alone when I flew from Florida to Houston,” Geimys said. “I definitely wanted to join a career in the medical field, and I knew my chances would be better in the United States.” Geimys recently was named 2024’s I Care Award winner. She has been with Methodist Hospital for five years, most recently serving in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery as the scheduler for head and neck surgeries. “The award was a big surprise for me,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting it at all.”

I like helping people; those in need; people with no families.

Geimys Cabrera Cruz

But friends and patients could see she would be a good candidate with her ability to problem-solve scheduling issues and flexible ability to accommodate doctor and patient schedules in tight windows for treatment. “I do enjoy helping the patients; they are so thankful for everything you do to make it easier for them,” she said. “These are usually cancer patients dealing with several appointments. I help them with all steps, often giving them my direct number and trying to accommodate them when I can.” Margarita Rodriguez, Geimys’s friend and mentor won the same prestigious award last year. “She’s one of those people you look forward to seeing every morning. Always a smile on her face, going above and beyond to make everyone as comfortable as possible.” “She is just a beautiful soul, always willing to work through lunch and maintain a nice sense of positivity,” said Margarita, works in the Texas Voice Center at Houston Methodist Hospital (with a subspecialty in laryngology) so both work for the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Geimys created a thoughtful career path for herself from the time she left Cuba. All steps along her way were clearly considered and preparations made so that she is quite qualified for every stairstep along the way. And as the single mother of 9-year-old daughter Erin, she is careful that she considers her plans with home time in mind. “My family is always important to me. I speak on the phone to my father in Cuba every day,” she says adding she touches base with most family members who still live there. She also was close to her mother who died in 2013. Geimys studied ophthalmology in Cuba when she was young, working in Bolivia before she decided to apply for a visa and move to the United States. She first stopped in Florida and then came on to Houston. “There were a lot of adjustments to the medicine and to the new language,” she said. “I like helping people; those in need; people with no families.”