Mega Doctor News
By Selene Rodriguez
South Texas College and South Texas Health System (STHS) recently came together to celebrate more than 100 recipients of the 2025 STHS Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship, an initiative by STHS to support aspiring professionals in the medical field and help strengthen the future of health care in the Rio Grande Valley.
Launched earlier this year, the scholarship awarded $800 in financial assistance to eligible students pursuing careers in health care at STC. Recipients were selected based on academic excellence, a strong commitment to their career goals and the potential to make a meaningful impact in their chosen fields.
STHS has contributed nearly $100,000 to STC over the past two years in support of student success and workforce development.
“We see your hard work and when you step into our hospitals for your clinical rotations, we can feel your passion and excitement for caring for our patients,” Lance Ames, chief executive officer of STHS Edinburg and STHS Children’s Hospitals, told students. “The fact that you’ve chosen the medical field means the world to us. Your knowledge and training will save lives, we want to make sure you have the resources, support and continued education to become true experts in your field.”
Supporting students in programs such as Vocational Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Health Information Technology and Occupational Therapy Assistant, the scholarship aims to reduce financial barriers and empower the next generation of health care professionals to serve the RGV.
Such was the case for Associate Degree in Nursing graduate Lori Santillan, who used the funds to cover the fees for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), helping her take the next step toward becoming a registered nurse.
“This scholarship helped me cover my NCLEX fees and repay debts from course materials,” she said. “Being able to pay ahead of time means I can take the exam as soon as possible and join the workforce to start doing what I love.”
Deeply passionate about the profession and now a recent graduate, Santillan feels empowered to care for others with compassion and empathy, and is grateful for the support she received from both STC and STHS.
“Nursing has always been my dream. I’m eager to care for people beyond what the eye can see and help them heal. I’m so glad I found a school that helped me pursue the career I’ve always wanted,” she shared. “I’m especially thankful for the supportive staff and instructors who encouraged me from day one. I used to feel intimidated by the idea of higher education, but STC made me feel supported every step of the way, offering resources and scholarships, such as this one, that helped me succeed.”
For Vocational Nursing student Jennifer Aldape, the scholarship has been a crucial part of her academic journey, especially as she sacrificed work hours to focus on her education and pursue her dream of helping others.
“Becoming a nurse has been my dream since childhood, and after experiencing firsthand the exceptional care nurses gave my father, grandmother and I, I knew this was my calling,” she said. “My work status changed due to the time required for classes, so this scholarship is providing the financial stability I need to continue pursuing my goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. I’m so grateful that STC and STHS believe in students like me and offer the support we need to succeed.”
Through a strong, longstanding partnership, STHS and STC reaffirmed their shared commitment to supporting the future of the workforce, particularly in high-demand fields that will bring long-term prosperity to the region.
“Since launching the STC Foundation two years ago, STHS has been an incredible partner in helping our students access the resources they need to stay focused and succeed. We’re so proud of this partnership. Together, we’re not just graduating students, we’re preparing highly skilled professionals who are ready to make a difference from day one,” said STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D. “With the highest nursing exam pass rate among schools of comparable size in Texas, I truly believe we’re producing the very best. Thank you, STHS, for believing in our students. We are beyond grateful for your continued support.”
