Casso, Ramiro R., 1922-

Ramiro Raul Casso, physician, educator, and civil rights advocate, was born August 4, 1922 in the Buenos Aires Colonia in Laredo, Texas. After graduating from Texas A & M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Casso enlisted in the United States Army Reserve, where he served overseas during World War II as an Anti-Aircraft Artillery Captain. Casso graduated from Baylor in 1952, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. In 1956, Casso earned his M.D. from University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. Casso practiced family medicine in McAllen, Tex. until his retirement in 1994. Casso has served as Division Director and Executive Director of Nursing and Allied Health Development and Vice President for Institutional Advancement at South Texas Community College. Casso has been an active member of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and was strong supporter of farm workers' rights, participating in marches with civil rights activists such as César Chávez and Rebecca Harrington of United Farm Workers. Casso was selected to serve on the Texas Board of Health in 1977 and was later appointed to a six-year term as Vice-Chairman of the Board in 1991. Casso worked to get the University of Texas Regional Academic Health Center in the Rio Grande Valley established, and was co-founder of El Milagro, a clinic for the indigent and uninsured in McAllen.