STHS Edinburg Registered Nurse Named A Top 20 Finalist In Imagefirst’s Heroesfirst Contest

Nationwide voting is now open through Friday, October 3 to determine the top eight finalists, who will be awarded prizes, totaling $16,500, for representing the best in patient experience

He has only been working as a registered nurse for about five years, but Javen Hinojosa is already earning national recognition for his commitment to providing quality, compassionate care to patients requiring urgent medical attention.

Hinojosa, an Edinburg native and former paramedic who works in the emergency department at South Texas Health System Edinburg, has been named a top 20 finalist in ImageFirst’s HeroesFirst national contest.

“In my daily responsibilities at STHS Edinburg, I have had the privilege of witnessing the extraordinary dedication of Javen Hinojosa, an ER Registered Nurse who truly embodies the spirit of teamwork. With his cheerful demeanor and remarkable sense of humor, Javen brings positivity to every interaction. His attitude is infectious, lifting the spirits of both patients and colleagues,” reads his nomination form. “Beyond his uplifting presence, Javen has demonstrated heroic skill, saving lives through his swift and decisive CPR interventions. His actions remind us of the profound impact one person can make in critical moments. Javen’s example inspires us all to approach each day with the same dedication, compassion, and commitment to making a difference.”

Organized by ImageFIRST, a leading healthcare linen services provider, the annual campaign recognizes healthcare heroes from across the United States who go above and beyond to enhance the patient experience. The contest celebrates individuals who align closely with the company’s values – Be Safe, Be Honest, Be Respectful and most of all, Be Remarkable.

“HeroesFIRST is our opportunity to celebrate healthcare heroes whose dedication and integrity set a powerful example across the healthcare industry,” says Edward H. Orzetti, Chief Executive Officer, ImageFIRST CEO. “We are united by our shared focus – enhancing the patient experience – and are privileged to witness the extraordinary passion delivered by our healthcare partners each day. ImageFIRST is proud to support those who devote their lives to caring for others, and we look forward to the impact of this year’s campaign.”

After the initial nomination process, which involved ImageFIRST service team members and customer advocates in the company’s 80+ markets submitting nominees, the list was pared down to Hinojosa and 19 other exceptional finalists.

Following a national online vote, the top eight heroes with the most votes, four each from the East and West regions, will be awarded a share of $16,500 in monetary prizes for representing the best in patient experience.

As a patient, employee or community member, you’re invited to support Hinojosa – the only nominee from South Texas – by visiting the contest page and voting as often as you’d like. Voting is open to anyone from now until Friday, October 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

About South Texas Health System

South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first and only freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.

About ImageFIRST
Founded in 1967, ImageFIRST® is the largest and fastest-growing national provider of linen rental, laundry and facility services, focusing primarily on the healthcare sector. Acquired by private equity firm Calera Capital in 2018, ImageFIRST serves medical facilities nationwide and hospitality customers in select markets. They offer an array of items such as linens, patient/guest garments, essential staff uniforms and supplies, facility service programs, and more while managing their clients’ linen inventory for cost management. With a customer retention rate of over 97%, ImageFIRST is dedicated to improving staff and patient/guest satisfaction through quality linen and remarkable service. As leaders in infection prevention, they currently own and operate the most HLAC-accredited (81 and counting) and TRSA Food Service certified (8) facilities in the industry. For more information, visit imagefirst.com.