As a nurse, I've seen what happens when people don't have their health

Austin resident CJ Hernandez spends his days caring for others as a mental health nurse. He brings the same compassion to his well-being.​

Growing up, CJ watched close family members struggle with diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Their experiences made him mindful of his own health, which his work as a nurse continues to reinforce. He follows a vegan diet and stays proactive with lab testing and vaccinations, often turning to CVS Health for accessible support.​

“Good health is the most important thing—to stay alive and active and maintain quality of life,” he said.​

CJ’s compassion was also shaped by eight years in the U.S. Army. Seeing different cultures and ways of life, witnessing suffering and losing fellow soldiers to war deepened his empathy. After leaving the military, CJ pursued nursing with a guiding belief: Listen closely and care for the whole person.​

When the flu left CJ exhausted, feverish and unable to eat, his usual health care provider could not see him. A nearby MinuteClinic could. A nurse practitioner evaluated him quickly. She prescribed medication, which he picked up at CVS Pharmacy a few steps away, along with orange juice and vegetable broth, avoiding another stop before heading home to rest.​

What stayed with CJ most was the nurse practitioner’s warmth and willingness to listen, underscoring why he continues to turn to CVS Health for routine needs. The CVS Health® app also keeps care simple, allowing him to schedule appointments and manage prescriptions in one place.​

“Every time I go to CVS to get my medications, vaccines or essential items, I’m always greeted with compassion, care and kindness,” CJ said. “They’re like family.”​

With an infant son, CJ is beginning a new chapter, making his health more important than ever: “CVS has always been there for me, and I know they’ll be there for my family.”​​