Mega Doctor News
By Selene Rodriguez
WESLACO, Texas – For patients nearing the end of life, even the smallest acts of kindness, care and compassion can make a difference.
With that in mind, South Texas College Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program students and faculty recently donated eight boxes filled with hygiene wipes, disinfecting supplies and other much-needed essentials to Aurora House Foundation in Weslaco, a nonprofit providing end-of-life care at no cost to patients or their families.
“Our students visit Aurora House every semester, often within their first few months in the program, but this time I wanted us to do a little more and give something back,” said STC faculty member Benjamin Yeboah, DNP. “Seeing the care they provide is incredible, and we’re grateful to be even a small part of their mission.”
Yeboah first visited Aurora House during the spring semester while accompanying nursing students for their clinical rotations. The visit is part of a partnership spanning more than 15 years, through which STC students learn about palliative and end-of-life care from healthcare professionals, social workers and chaplains.
Moved by the organization’s mission and its reliance on community support, Yeboah coordinated with a Johnson & Johnson representative to secure the supplies, which he and his students delivered during a recent visit.
“These patients deserve to feel comfortable, cared for and respected,” Yeboah said. “As nurses, we have a responsibility to care for people beyond their medical needs. I hope experiences like this encourage our students to make a difference in their communities, and I look forward to finding more ways to support Aurora House in the future.”
Founded in 2007, Aurora House Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides end-of-life care to patients in a home-like setting. The facility relies on charitable contributions to support its services and works alongside local hospice providers to meet patients’ medical needs.
“We’ve welcomed hundreds of STC students over the years as part of their clinical education, and we’re extremely grateful to see that partnership grow,” said Monalisa Gonzalez, education and development coordinator at Aurora House Foundation. “Many of our patients are bedridden and depend on others for their daily needs, so these supplies make a real difference in keeping them clean and comfortable. We’re thankful to STC for thinking of our patients and supporting our home.”
Beyond the donation, Aurora House offers students a valuable learning experience, introducing them to an important aspect of nursing that extends beyond traditional hospital care: supporting patients and their families through the final stages of life.
For first-year ADN student Nichole Luna, the visit was an emotional experience that challenged her understanding of what it means to care for patients.
“It was very emotional, but it gave us a new perspective,” Luna said. “It’s not always about helping someone get better. Sometimes, it’s about helping someone feel more comfortable as they’re approaching the end of their life.”
The experience was particularly personal for Luna, whose grandfather previously received palliative care. Hearing from professionals about the challenges patients face reminded her of the importance of listening to their concerns, easing their fears and offering support to families during difficult moments.
With an interest in caring for older adults, Luna said the visit also strengthened her commitment to becoming a nurse who treats patients with empathy and compassion, regardless of their circumstances.
“Every patient deserves the same level of compassion and respect, regardless of what they’re going through,” she said. “And that care extends beyond the patient. Their families are going through an emotional experience, too, and as nurses, we can make a difference for both.”
Luna was among 26 nursing students who accompanied Yeboah to deliver the donated supplies to Aurora House in late September. According to Gonzalez, caregivers began sorting through the items and offering them to patients that same day.
“Knowing that our community is thinking of our patients and supporting our home means so much to us,” Gonzalez said. “We’re incredibly grateful to STC, Mr. Yeboah and the students for their generosity. It’s wonderful to see future nurses already learning the importance of giving back, and we look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come.”
