Alumna of Distinction Gives Back to UIW

Colonel Laura Alvarado, USAF, NC (Ret.), BSN '78, was a prominent figure in the nursing community, and both patients and professionals benefited from her work. Alvarado was recognized by the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) with the Alumna of Distinction Award in 2004 for her many accomplishments in her career.

At UIW, Laura found her personal and professional future. She met Major Eduardo Alvarado, USAF, her future husband, in the nursing program. They graduated together in 1978 with Bachelor of Science degrees in nursing.

From the start, Laura and Eduardo were a team committed to each other and to their work. They began their nursing careers together in the uniformed services assigned to the Indian Health Service at the Zuni Comprehensive Medical Center in Zuni, New Mexico, from 1978 to 1980.

After completing their posts on the reservation, the couple applied to the United States Air Force on the condition that they both be assigned to Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. At Wilford Hall Alvarado managed the Nutritional Support Program for the 750-bed hospital.

Laura and Eduardo continued to grow in their careers and took part in an elite education program by receiving an Air Force Institute of Technology assignment to pursue graduate education.

Laura ascended to higher positions during her service in the Air Force both stateside and overseas. In February 2003, she assumed command of the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, a first for a female non-physician in the history of the school. Through it all, Eduardo remembers that she could command an entire room, yet in her gentle way, still maintain a high sense of respect among her colleagues.

Even after retiring, she continued to contribute to her nursing profession. She became active in the Association of Nurse Executives and was crucial to the establishment of the military critical care course at University Hospital in San Antonio that is still being taught today.

The Alvarados continued their legacy in the military and at UIW through their two sons. Edward Alvarado, Jr., is a retired Army Major who lives in Florida. Aaron Charles Alvarado graduated from UIW in 2006.

Laura planned a gift to the University of the Incarnate Word in her will. Her wishes were carried out by her husband, Eduardo, and her generous gift has benefitted the nursing program at UIW in two critical ways—it established an endowment for the Sr. Charles Marie Frank Nursing Lecture; and it created the Laura V. Alvarado, COL, USAF, NC (Ret) Award in Nursing Excellence for Faculty.

Col. Alvarado excelled at everything she did and was a catalyst who made things happen.