LEXINGTON, NE, October 21, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Francisca Acosta-Carlson has been recognized for achievement in healthcare.

Dr. Acosta-Carlson has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to healthcare and her community throughout her distinguished career. Since 2013, she has served as the chief medical officer at Lexington Regional Health Center in Lexington, Nebraska.

In her current capacity, Dr. Acosta-Carlson balances a demanding schedule, seeing patients three days each week while managing extensive administrative responsibilities. Her role includes overseeing committee meetings, coordinating and supervising rotating physician assistant students, medical students and residents, and ensuring the smooth operation of clinical services. She also rotates weekly on-call obstetric duty with three other physicians, delivering babies and managing pregnancy complications, as well as performing cesarean sections and other obstetric procedures.

Prior to her appointment as chief medical officer, Dr. Acosta-Carlson built a legacy as a family physician and obstetrician at Lexington Regional Health Center beginning in 1996. Over the past three decades, she has developed deep, multigenerational relationships with her patients, often delivering babies and later witnessing those same children graduate from high school. This continuity of care stands as one of her proudest achievements.

Earlier in her tenure at Lexington Regional Health Center, Dr. Acosta-Carlson held the position of chief of staff. Her expertise in family medicine and obstetrics is widely recognized, reflecting years of dedicated service and professional growth. She is an active member of both the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Association, organizations that support ongoing education and advocacy within the medical field.

Dr. Acosta-Carlson's academic journey began with a bachelor's degree in chemistry and mathematics from Texas Woman's University. She went on to earn a Master of Arts in Spanish and Latin American literature from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a Master of Science in Foreign Language Education from the University of Texas at Austin before completing her Doctor of Medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1993. The breadth of her educational background has contributed significantly to her success as a physician, equipping her with scientific rigor as well as cultural awareness and communication skills vital for patient care.

As the second-oldest of eleven children, Dr. Acosta-Carlson helped raise her siblings while both parents worked tirelessly to provide for their family. Her parents emphasized the importance of education as a means to build better lives for their children — a message that resonated deeply with Dr. Acosta-Carlson and is reflected in the achievements of all her siblings. The lessons instilled by her parents — caring for others, respecting people from all walks of life and helping those in need — continue to guide her professional conduct.

Beyond her clinical responsibilities, Dr. Acosta-Carlson has contributed to civic life through volunteer work with First Presbyterian Church and service as a former school board member for Lexington Independent School District. These roles underscore her dedication to supporting both spiritual life and educational advancement within her community.

Dr. Acosta-Carlson hopes to be remembered, above all, for treating every patient with dignity and respect, regardless of circumstance or background. She recalls one patient, a man battling cancer and financial hardship, whom she treated with the same care given to every patient. After his passing, a minister shared that the man had felt he had never before received such kindness from a doctor, and had wished to express his gratitude for the dignity she showed him. This same principle guides her with every patient: to listen closely and honor each person's perspective, even when she does not share their view.

Born in Elsa, Texas, Dr. Acosta-Carlson enjoys gardening and outdoor yard work, reading, watching television, caring for three rescue dogs, spending time with her grandchildren and photography. Looking ahead, she continues to find fulfillment in serving her patients and community. She periodically evaluates her readiness for retirement by monitoring her ability to recall medical knowledge with ease — a personal benchmark she uses to ensure she maintains the highest standards for patient care. For now, she remains dedicated to practicing medicine, cherishing each opportunity to make a positive impact on those around her.

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