An Officer, a Gentleman, and a Case Manager Navigator

BY JOYACE G USSIN, MSN, RN, BSBM, CCM

Introduction

Captain Michael Sevilla, MSN, RN, serves as a Case Manager Navigator at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (UT MDACC). With many years of experience, Michael is frequently called upon to provide coverage wherever it is needed, regardless of specialty. His assignments range from supporting pediatric cancer patients to assisting those with melanoma, sarcoma, leukemia, lymphoma, gastrointestinal cancers, or gynecological conditions. Known for his compassion and humility, Michael consistently seeks opportunities to serve others without seeking recognition. His dedication to service extends well beyond his professional responsibilities at UT MDACC.

Path to Service

Although Michael was not born in the United States, his deep appreciation for the country inspired him to become a naturalized citizen in 2011. He began his career at UT MDACC in December 2005 as a Surgical Oncology Nurse and transitioned to Case Management in July 2013. During his tenure, he worked diligently as a Discharge Planner and Utilization Review Management Nurse, eventually earning a master’s degree in nursing with a specialty in Informatics in 2018. Committed to giving back, Michael volunteered for the Texas State Guard in 2019, motivated by a desire to serve his state and country. Although he was beyond the age limit for joining the U.S. Military, he discovered that the Texas State Guard had a Military Brigade he could join, and he was sworn in as an officer.⁽¹⁾

The Texas State Guard: Background

To appreciate Michael’s journey, it is important to understand the Texas State Guard. This state defense force supports the Texas Military Department and civil authorities during state emergencies and provides ongoing assistance to the National Guard and local communities. The Texas State Guard is a volunteer force organized and controlled by the state, separate from the U.S. Armed Forces.⁽²⁾

The force is structured into four Civil Affairs Brigades, each containing four battalions. Specialty units exist at the company level for missions such as search and rescue, watercraft operations, diving, and security. Entry rank is determined by prior federal military service or civilian education, and those without military experience must complete the Basic Orientation Training course.⁽²⁾

Members of the Texas State Guard support the state during catastrophic events and ongoing military missions. When activated by the Governor for state duty, Guardsmen receive duty pay.⁽²⁾

Distinguished Service and Deployment

In March 2022, Michael received the prestigious “Heart of MD Anderson” award, recognizing his remarkable contributions to the institution. Shortly thereafter, he was deployed. From October 2022 to January 2023, Michael was stationed in Zapata, Texas, and from October 2023 to August 2025, he served in El Paso, Texas. During these assignments, his main mission was to assist individuals injured in service, particularly those involved in border patrol operations. Due to confidentiality guidelines, Michael could not share all the details of his experiences, but he provided insight into some of the challenges he encountered.⁽¹⁾

Responsibilities and Challenges

Michael’s role as a healthcare provider extended beyond traditional clinical duties. Serving as a Clinical RN for both the National Guard and the State Guard’s Operation Lone Star, he not only cared for sick or injured soldiers but also set up mobile clinics, assisted with wall repairs, worked in dental clinics, delivered babies, and performed a variety of tasks not limited to medical work.⁽¹⁾

Facing Danger

Michael recounted some of the most difficult moments of his service, including times when the team was threatened by non-enlisted militia from Mexico. These threats resulted in alerts and gunfire, putting the unit in danger.⁽¹⁾

Diverse Duties

Michael’s responsibilities were wide-ranging. In addition to assisting soldiers, he helped set up mobile clinics at the border, participated in border wall repairs, provided care to injured immigrants, conducted assessments for pregnant immigrants, and assisted in processing immigrants. He emphasized the importance of being alert and ready for any task required by the brigade, often working around the clock to ensure the mission’s success.⁽¹⁾

He recalled an incident in 2024 when a large influx of immigrants led to chaos at the border. As makeshift walls were pulled down, guardsmen and immigrants were injured, and the unit had to work long shifts to provide medical care and rebuild the wall. Despite the challenges, they managed to serve everyone and accomplish their objectives ⁽¹⁾.

The team also organized dental events from 6:00 AM to noon to assist those in need.⁽¹⁾

Applying Professional Skills

Michael was able to utilize both his case management and nursing experience during his deployment. As a Case Manager, he reviewed soldiers’ insurance coverage and assisted them in obtaining insurance through the Marketplace.⁽¹⁾

In his capacity as a nurse, Michael performed thorough assessments, addressed gastrointestinal disturbances, and provided education on medication contraindications, the BRAT diet, and RICE techniques—all of which proved valuable to the soldiers. He was frequently on call for gunshot wounds, managing initial care and coordinating emergency assistance.⁽¹⁾

Michael also cared for two pregnant immigrants who had climbed the border wall while eight months pregnant. He conducted comprehensive assessments, including fetal evaluations, and treated injuries sustained during the crossing. Due to language barriers, he relied on Spanish-speaking soldiers to facilitate communication, making the experience both challenging and memorable.⁽¹⁾

It was a pleasure sitting with and interviewing my co-worker. Michael embodies the roles of Officer, Gentleman, and seasoned Case Manager.

References