Mega Doctor News
By Roberto Hugo González
Maria Palomo, PhD, founder of Consuelo Behavioral Health Services, has been awarded the $25,000 grand prize in the Mission Economic Development Corporation’s (EDC) Ruby Red Ventures – The Competition. The announcement was made at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Consuelo’s newly renovated offices at 1723 East Griffin Parkway, Suite B, in Mission, Texas.
Consuelo Behavioral Health employs four professional therapists and two administrative staff, and mentors up to four interns. Palomo, who holds degrees from the University of Texas–Pan American (UTPA) and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), provides services for both children and adults with a variety of behavioral health needs.
To win the funding, Palomo completed a six-week entrepreneurship training course at the Mission EDC’s Center for Education and Economic Development (CEED) building, organized in collaboration with UTRGV and the Kauffman FastTrac program. She then competed in a pitch competition among several Mission small businesses.
“Ruby Red Ventures was created to help entrepreneurs in Mission take their businesses to the next level,” said Teclo Garcia, CEO of the Mission EDC. “Dr. Palomo’s vision for Consuelo Behavioral Health represents exactly the type of innovation and community impact we hoped to foster when we launched the program.”
Ruby Red Ventures, established in 2013, is a competition and small-business fund launched by Mission EDC to promote local entrepreneurship. The program offers workshops, business training, mentorship opportunities, and grants, with the aim of supporting business growth in Mission by keeping talent, innovation, and impact local.
In recent rounds, Ruby Red Ventures has supported other local businesses:
• In August 2018, three businesses were awarded grants: Mr. Pepe, a manufacturer of gourmet grilling sauces, won first place with $25,000; El Cazos Guisos, a producer of Mexican meals and stews, took second place with $15,000; and B. Veggie, a natural juices producer, won third place with $10,000.
• In February 2025, Mission EDC awarded $220,000 in grant funding to 16 small businesses through its Ruby Red Ventures – Build Mission Fund.
For more information about Consuelo Behavioral Health Services, contact their office at (956) 648-8967 or via email at consuelobhs@gmail.com.
