Mega Doctor News
Three groups of students enrolled in the Texas A&M University School of Public Health’s PHLT 411 Project Management in Public Health course at the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) recently led free community events designed to help address issues residents are facing in Hidalgo County.
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health program is among 10 undergraduate degree programs available at the HECM that aim to meet the industry demands and community needs in South Texas. The PHLT 411 course supports that mission by giving students the opportunity to work collaboratively in teams and with community organizations to design, implement and manage a public health project that addresses community-identified issues.
PHLT 411 in South Texas
Dr. Krystal Flores-Chavez is the instructional associate professor who leads the PHLT 411 course at the Higher Education Center at McAllen.
“This service-learning course integrates real-world application of concepts learned within the classroom,” Flores-Chavez said. “It allows students to gain the professional skills needed to work within the region, including skills like project management, leadership, communication, team building, conflict resolution, networking and time management — to name a few.”
In the past, students visited underserved areas in the community to host resource fairs to support community issues like mental health and women’s health. This hands-on approach enables students to gain a greater understanding of the public health issues residents are experiencing.
Three student-led projects
For the fall 2025 semester, three groups of students led impactful public health projects: a community baby shower, a sexual health campus event and a community clean-up.
Cradle of Care
Belen Trevino ′27 and her team consulted with their primary stakeholder, the House of Love & Justice, to help them determine which public health issue they wanted to tackle. They selected maternal and child health and decided to host the “Cradle of Care,” a community baby shower in Alamo, Texas, to help address the disparity in mothers receiving care and necessities for infants that may have limited access to essential supplies, resources and services.
Nearly 100 people attended and received breastfeeding guides, mother and infant care kits, and other helpful information from local clinics and nonprofit organizations.
“Our work included securing donors, coordinating services, planning venue logistics, marketing the event and managing team responsibilities,” said Trevino. “Although the project was complex at times and required extensive planning, it was incredibly fulfilling to see the positive impact on the mothers who attended.”
Play It Safe
Kate Balli ′27, Pablo-Mortimer Romero ′27 and the rest of their team wanted to raise sexual health awareness among peers at the Higher Education Center at McAllen. An estimated 150 students attended their Play it Safe campus event where the team and their stakeholder, Healthy Futures of Texas, provided free educational activities, materials and health kits.
“This experience helped me realize how important community outreach is in public health. I realized how much preparation and teamwork goes into even small health events,” said Balli.
Romero plans to pursue a medical degree, a career that greatly benefits from leading, or at least participating in, community-driven events. “This project showed me how meaningful it can be to combine public health knowledge with clinical skills,” said Romero. “This experience reinforced the idea that physicians can make a positive impact not just inside clinical settings, but also through community education and public health efforts.”
Wings of Transformation
Alexis Aguilera ′28 and her team chose to lead the “Wings of Transformation” event to focus on improving the environmental health for a local colonia — an economically distressed, underdeveloped community on the U.S. side of the border. They invited other students at the HECM to help them remove trash, furniture, tires and other discarded materials from a neighborhood in Donna, Texas. The team also offered a food and clothing drive for residents.
Residents were grateful to see the students’ clean-up efforts. Some even expressed shared concerns about pests, standing water and lack of basic services. The experience deepened the students’ understanding of how environmental challenges can impact a community’s quality of life.
“Something as simple as removing garbage or providing clean water can improve safety, reduce disease risks and restore a sense of hope for families,” said Aguilera. “My biggest takeaway is that public health work requires collaboration, humility and consistency. It’s not enough to show up once; communities need long-term support. Even small actions can make a meaningful difference when they come from a place of respect.”
Lessons from the field
Many students reported the course experience as rewarding, from the lessons in the classroom to the memorable interactions with community members, especially for those that plan to pursue public health as a career.
Eliana Lopez ′27 plans to pursue a master’s degree in public health, with a concentration in health behavior and a certificate in maternal and child health, making her team’s Cradle of Care event highly instrumental toward her goals.
“This experience has truly solidified my desire to further my education in this field,” said Lopez. “Every detail that went into creating this project was both inspiring and impactful. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Dr. Flores-Chavez for giving us the opportunity to bring our project to life and for her unwavering support and guidance throughout the process.”
Professors like Flores-Chavez and hands-on learning experiences like the PHLT 411 course prepare students at the Higher Education Center at McAllen to make a meaningful impact and be a force for good for the community.
“The PHLT 411 course grants students the opportunity to identify potential solutions to very complex issues, all while implementing the Aggie Core Values of Selfless Service and Excellence.” Flores-Chavez said. “I’ve witnessed very timid students branch out and gain extensive leadership skills through this process. I am very proud of the work these students have completed and know they are motivated to continue to serve our region.”
