Mega Doctor News
At just 20 years old, South Texas College student Alondra Padron is nearing graduation with more than a diploma in sight.
With a job secured months before earning her associate degree in Health Information Technology, Padron was recently recognized by the Rio Grande Valley Health Information Management Association (RGVHIMA) for her dedication to the field, strong work ethic and drive to make an impact by protecting patient information.
“Health information is a great way to make a difference in the medical field,” Padron said. “I understand what it’s like to not want your medical records on display. Our job is to manage that information with discretion and protect patient privacy. It gives you a sense of purpose. You’re there to uphold their integrity.”
Recently, Padron was the sole recipient of RGVHIMA’s annual $750 scholarship, awarded each year to one student across the RGV, to support the new generation of health information professionals.
She plans to use the funds to cover the cost of the Registered Health Information Technician exam, which she will take this summer after graduation.
“I applied not thinking I would get it,” Padron said. “When I found out I was chosen, I felt really encouraged. It made me feel like I’m on the right path.”
Padron knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue a career in health care. After her mother faced medical complications from a renal condition, Padron moved from Rio Bravo, Mexico to the United States in eighth grade to live with her aunt while her mother worked toward recovery.
“Thankfully, she’s better now. We’ve learned how to manage it, but it opened my eyes to the medical field and the impact it can have,” Padron said.
While adjusting to a new country and overcoming a language barrier, Padron attended Hidalgo High School, where she began exploring opportunities in the medical field. There, she completed coursework in a medical assistant program and earned her certification before graduating.
“I’m really grateful for that experience because it prepared me for this program by teaching me medical terminology and clinical skills,” Padron said. “But it also showed me patient care wasn’t my path. When I got to STC, I was able to explore more options in the medical field and that’s when I discovered this program. It’s a perfect fit for me.”
Padron, who initially started the program to earn an Electronic Health Records certificate in one semester, quickly fell in love with the field and is now nearing completion of the two-year associate degree in Health Information Technology.
Her long-term goal is to become an oncology data specialist, a role responsible for tracking and reporting cancer cases so health agencies can identify trends and determine where resources and treatment centers are needed.
“If health officials didn’t know we have a lot of cases of cancer here, they wouldn’t look into it,” Padron said. “They wouldn’t build a center or bring more resources to the community. People would have to drive hours just to get the care they need. That’s what makes this work so meaningful. If what I do can help create that change, that means everything.”
During her first practicum last semester in the Health Information Management department at South Texas Health System, Padron assisted with preparing, organizing and scanning patient charts, an experience that led to a full-time position as a medical records technician earlier this year.
“This is the perfect place for me to start my career. I’m so grateful for the confidence they’ve placed in me,” she said. “Helping organize medical records for such a large organization is a big responsibility and I take pride in it. We play an important role in making sure everything is accurate and complete.”
As the youngest in her class, Padron knows her journey is only beginning. With a strong foundation already in place, she is also looking ahead to earning a bachelor’s degree in Health and Medical Management from STC and sees countless possibilities ahead.
“In this field, there are just so many avenues to grow,” she said. “I’m really grateful to STC and my faculty for guiding me down this path. They helped me see that even if we’re behind the scenes, we can change things. I’m excited to be part of that change.”
For more information on the Health Information Technology program or other programs offered at STC’s Health Science Professions Division, visit nah.southtexascollege.edu/ or call 956-872-3100.
Information source: STC
