Claudia G Mercado
MD, FAAFP
As a medical director, Claudia Mercado, M.D., FAAFP brings empathy and understanding for patient care to her practice, Border Clinic, PLLC. Dr. Mercado shapes her professional life around the belief that everyone deserves access to compassionate care that is personalized to their medical needs, and listens carefully to each of her patient’s concerns to help develop a customized plan that improves their unique health condition. She is a board-certified family physician with over 10 years of experience working in primary care. In addition, she is an active member in the family medicine community, taking part in a fellowship from the American Academy of Family Medicine (AAFM). At Border Clinic, PLLC, Dr. Mercado oversees a team of nurse practitioners and medical assistants to provide excellent, compassionate care. The team is proud to be bilingual in English and Spanish, and welcomes all patients to the practice for medical care. They also strive to treat every patient as family. Residents in Laredo, Texas, who are searching for a passionate team of primary care practitioners and medical assistants, should schedule a visit to see Dr. Mercado and the team at Border Clinic, PLLC, and learn more about their personalized, patient-centered care.
Elsa I. Santellano
MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Elsa Santellano, APRN, FNP-C, MSN, is a compassionate and patient-centered family nurse practitioner at Border Clinic, PLLC, located in Laredo and Zapata, Texas. Elsa started her career in nursing in 2011, and has since then enjoyed working with patients on improving their health and wellness. Elsa earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Texas A&M International University. Following the program, she worked as a registered nurse for 11 years before continuing with her master’s degree in nursing at the university. She has a passion to share her knowledge with others and help them with their medical needs. She continually strives to improve her patients’ experiences and places strong emphasis on developing her professional skills. While working in the critical care unit, Elsa gained insight into caring for patients with critical conditions and received extensive training in various diseases. She is also certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners as a family nurse practitioner. Elsa is fluent in both Spanish and English, allowing her to provide care that accommodates your unique needs at Border Clinic, PLLC.
Haley Slight Martinez
MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Haley Slight Martinez, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, is a family nurse practitioner at Border Clinic, PLLC, located in Laredo and Zapata, TX. Haley is passionate about providing patient-centered care to her hometown. Haley earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas A&M International University in 2018. She has worked as a registered nurse for over 5 years with a strong background in critical care. She has work experience in the Methodist Health System in San Antonio, Doctors Hospital and Laredo Medical Center which has helped her gain insight in various health conditions. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas at Arlington. She decided to pursue her passion of primary and preventative care and is certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Haley is motivated about preventive care and health promotion, striving to inspire individuals to take control of their well-being. In her free time, Haley enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and visiting local coffee shops. She is dedicated to getting to know her patients, building trust, and collaborating with patients to develop personalized care plans at Border Clinic, PLLC.
Brenda Flores
MSN, APRN, FNP-C.
Brenda L. Flores, MSN, APRN, FNP-C is an experienced and compassionate Family Nurse Practitioner with over 8 years of clinical nursing experience, including 6 years in a high-acuity emergency room and 2 years in inpatient care for adults and pediatrics. Brenda earned both Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) degrees from Texas A&M International University, building a solid academic and clinical foundation rooted in evidence-based practice. Passionate about mental health, fitness, and preventive care, with a special focus on supporting patients in achieving their weight loss and overall wellness goals. She is known for delivering holistic, patient-centered care that addresses the physical, emotional, and behavioral aspects of health. Her bilingual skills and warm smile will help bridge gaps and make every patient feel welcome and understood at Border Clinic, PLLC. Brenda L. Flores, MSN, APRN, FNP-C is an experienced and compassionate Family Nurse Practitioner with over 8 years of clinical nursing experience, including 6 years in a high-acuity emergency room and 2 years in inpatient care for adults and pediatrics. Brenda earned both Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) degrees from Texas A&M International University, building a solid academic and clinical foundation rooted in evidence-based practice. Passionate about mental health, fitness, and preventive care, with a special focus on supporting patients in achieving their weight loss and overall wellness goals. She is known for delivering holistic, patient-centered care that addresses the physical, emotional, and behavioral aspects of health. Her bilingual skills and warm smile will help bridge gaps and make every patient feel welcome and understood at Border Clinic, PLLC.
Karen Hinojosa
FNP
Let’s give a HUGE warm welcome to our newest member of our Border Clinic Family, Karen Hinojosa, MSN, APRN, FNP-C. Karen Hinojosa is a dedicated and experienced Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas A&M International University. With nearly a decade of clinical experience across emergency care, pediatrics, internal medicine, and behavioral health settings, Karen brings a compassionate and holistic approach to patient care.
Her background includes leadership roles such as Director of Nursing and Infection Control, as well as hands-on experience managing wellness exams, chronic conditions, and medication-assisted treatments. Karen is passionate about serving patients of all ages and is committed to promoting health and wellness in the community.