Two nursing students from Wayland Baptist University’s Ben and Bertha Mieth School of Nursing in San Antonio volunteered during the Fourth of July weekend to assist search and rescue efforts after flooding devastated parts of Central Texas.
Valerie Hedenland and Elizabeth Santos, both enrolled in Wayland’s LVN to BSN program, responded in Leander through Intrepid Care, a veteran-run nonprofit that mobilized quickly to support first responders. The women, both military veterans and close friends, provided medical care to search teams in one of the hardest-hit areas.
“For both of us, this was personal,” said Hedenland, 32, an Army veteran. “We have acquaintances who lost loved ones in the flooding. We felt compelled to go out there and help our fellow Texans in any way we could, hoping our nursing background and military experience would be of good use.”
The students administered IV infusions for dehydration, provided first aid, organized medical supplies and assembled kits for crews in the field. They worked alongside responders on foot, cadaver dog teams, law enforcement, volunteers and even horseback search teams until the last missing person was found and identified.
“We were heartbroken by the devastation we saw. Broken roads, uprooted trees, crushed vehicles. Families had lost everything,” Hedenland said. “It was emotional to witness firsthand. But even in that tragedy, we met some incredible people. Everyone brought something valuable to the mission, and it was an honor to be part of that effort.”
Dr. Rebekah Grigsby, dean of the Mieth School of Nursing, said Hedenland and Santos embody the school’s mission to prepare servant leaders who make a difference.
“Their selfless response to this tragedy reflects not only their training, but their calling,” Grigsby said.
Hedenland and Santos have returned to class, but they said the experience left a lasting impact, both in the community they served and in their commitment to nursing.
.png)
