Driven by love: AdventHealth team member turns grief into a powerful mission to honor mother

Driven by love: AdventHealth team member turns grief into a powerful mission to honor mother

WINTER PARK, Fla. — At just 15 years old, Kelvin Brito Hernandez’s life changed forever with a single phone call.

“I remember when the doctor’s wife called me,” he recalled. “She told me over the phone that my mom had ovarian cancer, stage 3C.”

Facing the harsh reality of a broken health care system in his homeland of Venezuela, Brito Hernandez took matters into his own hands. “The medications my mom needed were out of stock everywhere in Venezuela, so I decided to start traveling to Colombia.”

His determination to help his mother led him to make dangerous and exhausting trips across the border.

“Sometimes I had to walk across the river, sometimes I had to travel on the floor of the bus for 27 hours because there were no more seats available,” he said. “It was not easy at all, but if I had to do it again, I would do it 10, 20 times. Even if it wasn’t to Colombia, I would go to any other country, walk across, or travel by bus or anything to help a family member — especially my mom.”

Sadly, his mother passed away from the disease in 2018. He knew he wanted to honor his mother’s memory and work in health care.

As life in Venezuela became increasingly challenging, Kelvin moved to the United States in 2019, and began his health care education.

Fueled by his deeply personal mission, Brito Hernandez, now 25, joined AdventHealth Medical Group two years ago. He now works as a medical assistant, where he is making a profound impact on patients and his colleagues.

“My mom was a great and strong woman. She inspired me for everything that I do, every day of my life,” Brito Hernandez said, reflecting on his journey.

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and Brito Hernandez’s work holds deep significance as he supports patients battling the disease that claimed his mother’s life. In his current role, he provides compassionate care, drawing on his personal experiences to shape his approach and honor his mother’s memory.

“When someone calls our office, I put myself in their shoes and imagine that it’s my mom calling to get answers,” he said. “I understand how concerned people can be waiting at home for a biopsy or CT scan result. That impacted me so much, so anything I can do to treat them as family, I will.”

While working full-time, he is also pursuing a degree in health care management. His goal is to further his education and enhance his ability to support families facing cancer and other health challenges.

Brito Hernandez also credits his Hispanic heritage for shaping his patient care approach, allowing him to connect more deeply with Hispanic patients whose first language isn’t English. “I’m very proud to be part of the Hispanic community. It’s a blessing because connecting with people isn’t just about language — it’s about culture. Every day I get to assist someone in Spanish, it makes my day.”

Looking ahead, Brito Hernandez remains focused on his mission to support cancer patients and their families.

“Every day, I strive to honor my mother’s memory by providing the best care possible. Her strength and resilience are my motivation, and I hope to pass on that strength to others who need it.”