Mega Doctor News
Throughout the ever-expanding Rio Grande Valley, the healthcare sector continues facing challenges caused by a lack of physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
By 2032, the Rio Grande Valley is projected to have the state’s greatest percentage of unmet demand for nurses at 27.2%, per the Texas Department of State Health Services, with the four-county region also predicted to experiencea shortage of 722 primary care full-time physicians by 2030.
But there is home-grown hope for the future of the healthcare industry… the increase in students from Brownsville to Starr County aspiring to make a difference in their communities by pursuing careers in healthcare.
Since its inception in 1953, the Auxiliary to South Texas Health System has been steadfast in its commitment to investing in aspiring healthcare professionals from across the four-county region. Through its educational scholarship program, South Texas Health System’s non-profit organization has been assisting college students enrolled in healthcare programs across the nation with school-related expenses, including tuition.
Consisting of more than 200 volunteers, the Auxiliary to STHS recently awarded $32,000 in scholarships to University of Texas Rio Grande Valley students pursuing careers in the medical field during the 2024-25 school year. Last week, members of the organization presented a check to UTRGV representatives, who expressed their gratitude for community partnerships with organizations like the auxiliary that benefit students who don’t receive enough financial aid to afford a higher education.
“This is something that definitely helps our students first and foremost,” says Vanessa Maldonado, Director of Student Service Centers and Scholarships, UTRGV. “Many of our students are first generation college attendees and receiving financial aid. But, sometimes, that assistance is not enough. Scholarship funds like those provided by the Auxiliary to STHS are always an extra added benefit for our students so they can accomplish their educational goals.”
Comprised of hundreds of senior and junior volunteers, members of the Auxiliary to STHS don’t only assist hospital staff and visitors across South Texas Health System’s acute care hospitals; they raise funds 365 days a year through sales in the hospital gift shops at STHS McAllen and STHS Edinburg, as well as other efforts, to help assist students pursuing careers in the medical field.
“Our beloved volunteers truly understand the importance of securing a pipeline of the future healthcare heroes locally, so, they work hard to raise these funds. They want it to go where it will make a difference,” says Kennetha Foster, System Chief Nursing Officer, MSN, RN, South Texas Health System. “STHS is committed to the community, and you can see that through the work our volunteers do to secure the future of healthcare.”
The $32,000 check to UTRGV is only half of the money donated for healthcare education scholarships for the 2024-25 school year. Other colleges and universities receiving scholarship funds to support Rio Grande Valley students include Princeton University, University of Notre Dame, University of Pennsylvania, University of Washington, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Trinity University, East Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Texas State University and South Texas College, as well as two international schools: Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara in Mexico and Colegio Universitario de San Juan in Puerto Rico. In all, the Auxiliary has awarded $66,000 for both semesters.
Since 1953, the Auxiliary to STHS has awarded more than $4 million in scholarships to local students, including STHS employees aiming to advance their healthcare careers by furthering their education.
To learn more about the Auxiliary to South Texas Health System and the system’s volunteer services program, visit southtexashealthsystem.com.
About South Texas Health System
South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first and only freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.
About Auxiliary to South Texas Health System
The Auxiliary of South Texas Health System is comprised of men and women who donate not only their time assisting in the various departments throughout the facilities that make up South Texas Health System. The non-profit organization also raises money for educational scholarships to students within the Rio Grande Valley, continuing education assistance to STHS employees, and donations for other not-for-profit organizations within the community. The Auxiliary is able to give generous financial donations each year through money raised from the gift shop and various fundraising projects.
