Mega Doctor News
By Selene Rodriguez
McALLEN, Texas – What began as a flat tire on the side of a highway turned into a frightening collision and an unexpected encounter for South Texas College faculty member Jesus Amaya, when the paramedic who responded to the scene turned out to be one of STC’s graduates.
Amid the shock and uncertainty, an STC jacket in the back of Amaya’s truck caught the attention of STC alumnus Baldomero Solis, and what started as a simple recognition of a familiar logo soon became something much more meaningful: two Jags, brought together by chance at a moment when one needed the other most.
“Looking back at the pictures of the accident and at the scar that I got, I should not be here,” Amaya said. “Mr. Solis was extremely knowledgeable. He was able to make sure that everything was going to be OK and he shared with me how much he had enjoyed being an STC student. Not only did God allow me to survive, but I also had the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact we make through higher education.”
On March 2, Amaya, a faculty member in STC’s Surveying and Geospatial program, was waiting for roadside assistance between Kingsville and Riviera after dropping off his daughter in Corpus Christi and heading back to the Rio Grande Valley when another vehicle struck his parked truck at highway speed, crushing the truck bed and sending the vehicle spinning 180 degrees.
Amaya, who said he was thrown around the cab during the impact, was able to walk to the ambulance on his own, believing his injuries weren’t that serious. As paramedic Solis began treating the cut on his head, which would later require 12 staples, he noticed something familiar among Amaya’s belongings: an STC jacket.
“At that moment, he was simply someone who needed help, and that was my focus,” Solis said. “When I realized he was an STC faculty member, it became a full-circle moment because it reminded me that sometimes, the same community that helped build you is the one you’re called to serve.”
A graduate of STC’s Emergency Medical Services program, Solis earned his Paramedic Associate of Applied Science in 2023 after completing his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)-Basic training at the top of his class in 2021 and EMT-Advanced training in 2022, earning National Registry certification at each level.
A Rio Grande City native, Solis began his career with Starr County Memorial Hospital EMS before joining Allegiance Mobile Health, where he has provided 911 emergency care across South Texas and responded to high-pressure emergencies.
“I knew since high school that I wanted to become a paramedic,” Solis said. “My brother-in-law and close friends worked in EMS, and seeing their passion inspired me to pursue a career where I could be a source of calm, hope and compassion during some of the hardest moments of people’s lives.”
In 2026, his experience also led to opportunities to serve on specialized deployment teams supporting emergency operations, including severe weather response and wildland fire missions.
“Baldomero’s professionalism, compassion and clinical excellence reflect exactly what we strive to instill in all our students,” said Joseph Archer, one of Solis’ former STC faculty. “It is always rewarding to see our graduates apply their training in ways that make a real difference in people’s lives.”
Following the accident, which left Amaya with a head wound and changes to his vision, he wrote a heartfelt email to STC’s Emergency Medical Services department thanking faculty for the preparation they provide their students and the care he experienced firsthand through one of their graduates.
“While I have always known that our EMS program is outstanding, experiencing firsthand the excellence of one of its graduates gave me an even greater appreciation for all the dedication, training and high standards faculty pours into our students,” Amaya wrote. “Moments like this remind us why our work matters.”
For Amaya, the experience reinforced both his pride in seeing students succeed and the importance of never taking safety for granted.
“To see a student be that passionate about the degree they earned and to have that pride in being part of STC, to me, that’s an awesome thing to see,” he said. “And if you get a flat, get off the expressway completely. Ruin the rim, ruin the car. It doesn’t make a difference. It’s not worth your life.”
Today, months after the accident, Amaya said he is grateful to be moving forward.
“Today, everything is golden. I am enjoying life, and I am very, very thankful,” he said.
