Celebrating 25 Years of Compassionate Care: Respiratory Therapist Nora Vela Retires from DeTar Healthcare System
1/2/2026
DeTar Healthcare System recently honored the distinguished 25-year career of Nora Vela, respiratory therapist at DeTar Navarro and DeTar Women & Children’s Center at DeTar Hospital North, as she retired from the organization.
Throughout her career, Vela provided compassionate, high-quality care to countless patients while serving as a trusted leader and mentor within the respiratory therapy department. Her dedication, experience and kindness have made a lasting impact on patients, colleagues and the broader DeTar community.
“I will truly miss my coworkers and the friendships I’ve built over the years,” Vela said. “This has been more than a job—it’s been a second family.”
“Over the past 25 years, Nora has exemplified resilience, dedication and an unwavering commitment to patient care,” said Brenda Martin, RT, respiratory therapy director at DeTar Healthcare System. “She led her team with courage and grace, especially during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her mentorship and leadership helped shape our department, and her presence will be deeply missed.”
While respiratory care and technology have evolved significantly over the last two decades, Vela’s compassion and patient-centered approach remained constant.
“What I loved most was helping people get better and letting them know they were truly cared for,” Vela said. “You’d walk into a patient’s room day after day and see them improving—breathing easier, sounding stronger. Those moments meant everything to me.”
Mentoring the next generation of respiratory therapists was one of the most rewarding aspects of her career.
“I’ve been able to teach and support younger therapists, but I’ve also learned so much from them,” Vela said. “That exchange of knowledge has been incredibly fulfilling.”
Brett Maxfield, CEO of DeTar Healthcare System, added, “Nora’s dedication to our patients and her colleagues over the past 25 years is truly inspiring. She has been a steady source of strength and compassion, guiding her team through some of the most challenging times in recent healthcare history. We are deeply grateful for her service and wish her the very best in this next chapter.”
As she enters retirement, Vela is looking forward to spending time with family.
“I’m excited to slow down and spend more time with my kids and grandkids,” she said.
DeTar Healthcare System thanks Nora Vela for her extraordinary commitment and wishes her a happy, healthy and fulfilling retirement.
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