That approach has earned him national recognition as one of eight 2026 MPN Heroes. The annual program, sponsored by biopharmaceutical company Incyte, honors people making a difference through patient care, research and advocacy for those affected by myeloproliferative neoplasms — a group of blood cancers involving abnormal bone marrow function. Honorees are nominated by their peers and chosen by an independent panel of community experts and advocates.
For Hernandez, the recognition is about both the medical work and the human connection. An independent judging panel singled him out for attentive, compassionate care, strong patient relationships and keeping a close watch for disease progression or relapse.
His goal is for patients to leave an appointment feeling a little lighter. He wants them to focus on family and everyday life while their care team handles the clinical side of treatment. Even in a busy clinic, that means making room to listen.
There’s plenty of hands-on work behind that reassuring message. Hernandez may perform bone marrow biopsies or lumbar punctures, monitor chemotherapy’s toxic effects and watch for changes that call for quick action. Seeing patients frequently can help him spot those changes early.
Away from the clinic, Hernandez is an avid surfer. The connection might not seem obvious, but he sees a shared outlook: Make the most of each wave, and each patient visit, as it comes.
The 2026 honorees will be recognized Dec. 11 in New Orleans.
- Brad Haugaard
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