Building Trust Through Care: Meet Case Manager Iris Herrera

At HSNT, our Medical Case Managers play a vital role in helping patients navigate care and build trust with their providers. Today, we’re excited to introduce Iris Herrera, one of the newest members of our case management team.

Iris graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio in December 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Health, concentrating in community health and preventive services. Inspired by the impact case workers and social workers had on her own family growing up, Iris knew she wanted a career where she could serve her community in a meaningful way.

Before joining HSNT, Iris worked as a Community Health Worker in Arizona, where her dedication to going above and beyond for patients earned her recognition from her peers. “It was so special to be nominated by my coworkers for helping a client. It showed me I was on the right path,” she shares.

For Iris, effective case management is about building trust. “Sometimes people just need someone to listen. A lot of patients have been let down before, or they don’t know where to turn. My goal is to be that person who hears them and helps guide them to the support they need.”

While Iris is open to serving all patients, she feels especially drawn to working with women’s health cases. “Maybe it’s because I’m a woman myself, but I feel a strong connection when I’m helping women, whether it’s during pregnancy or navigating other health challenges. It feels like the right path for me.”

For Iris, success isn’t measured in numbers. “If I can help even one person and build that trust, that’s what makes this work rewarding,” she says. Some of her most cherished memories come from clients who have written her letters or tried to show gratitude with small, heartfelt gestures like preparing a home-cooked meal. “Even when I couldn’t accept the food, it meant so much that they wanted to thank me that way. Those moments stay with me.”

Outside of work, Iris enjoys spending time at the gym and with her two cats, Moon and Stella. Soon, she’ll be welcoming a third cat named Alara, keeping with her space-themed naming tradition.

As she settles into her new role, Iris is excited about the opportunity to grow and make a difference in patients’ lives at HSNT. Her message to patients is simple:

Sometimes people don’t know where to start. That’s what we’re here for, to help guide you. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just reaching out is the first step, and we’ll walk with you from there.