Mega Doctor News
By Selene Rodriguez
Five years ago, South Texas College student Camila Sanchez walked away from her education during one of the most difficult moments of her life, a decision she would come to regret almost immediately.
Becoming a single mother gave her the strength and purpose to return, and now, she is just weeks away from becoming a physical therapist assistant, proving that second chances can change everything.
“As soon as I left, I regretted it. I felt like I had let myself down,” she said. “Life changed for me in many ways, especially after having my son. That’s when I knew I wouldn’t feel satisfied with myself until I came back, finished my degree and built a better life for us.”
An Edinburg native, Sanchez, 29, was accepted into STC’s Physical Therapist Assistant program in 2020 after completing prerequisite courses and working to strengthen her GPA for admission into the highly competitive program.
Inspired by a family member in the field, she discovered a career that combined her passion for fitness and health care.
“I wanted to do something related to exercise and working out, but I didn’t want to be a personal trainer,” she said. “I also knew I wanted to be in the medical field, I just didn’t know how to combine the two until my uncle introduced me to physical therapy.”
Sanchez began the program during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating online lectures and in-person labs under strict safety protocols. While the program was already demanding, the pressure was compounded by personal challenges and a lack of emotional support, leaving her feeling overwhelmed and isolated.
“I was in a relationship that wasn’t very supportive and I was trying to handle everything on my own. It all became too much, and I didn’t know how to ask for help,” she said. “I felt overwhelmed. My instructors could tell something was wrong and were very supportive, but ultimately it became too much, and I needed to step away from school.”
Sanchez returned to her job as a server and bartender at a local restaurant, where she had been working for several years.
Just months later, her life took another turn when she found out she was pregnant, a moment that shifted her perspective and gave her a renewed sense of purpose.
“I felt like I owed it to myself to come back and finish,” she said. “However, it wasn’t just about me anymore, it was about building a better life for my family.”
While working at the restaurant, Sanchez often spoke about the program and STC, encouraging coworkers to pursue physical therapy. As she watched some of them enroll and graduate, it motivated her even more to return and finish what she started.
In 2023, she began preparing to reenter the two-year program, addressing the challenges that once held her back, and officially returned in 2024.
“I had to learn how to organize my time and ask for help. I took classes, went to tutoring and worked my way back,” she said. “I wasn’t the same person when I came back.”
Now a single mother, Sanchez balanced the demands of school while raising her son, relying on a strong support system from her parents. She made financial and personal sacrifices to stay focused, cutting back on work and organizing her schedule around her responsibilities as both a student and a parent.
“My parents are my biggest support system. I couldn’t have done this without them,” she said. “My job has also been extremely supportive and flexible with my hours. It’s taken a village, but now it’s all going to be worth it.”
As she prepares to graduate, Sanchez hopes to begin her career in a hospital setting, where she can work in a fast-paced environment and continue developing her skills.
She is especially interested in hands-on patient care and helping individuals regain their independence, a part of the field she finds most rewarding.
“I realized I thrive in what I call ‘organized chaos,’ which is why I prefer the hospital,” she said. “I would love to continue my education and maybe become a physical therapist, but right now I’m focused on gaining experience and passing my certification exam.”
For Sanchez, the journey has been about more than earning a degree. It has been about growth, resilience and turning a dream into reality.
“My son is my biggest motivation. Seeing him every morning pushes me to keep going,” she said. “I truly believe I wouldn’t be where I am without STC. The instructors, counseling services and staff have all supported me, and my classmates have been incredible. That’s why I always recommend it to others. STC has helped me reach my dreams every step of the way.”
For more information on STC’s Physical Therapist Assistant program, visit By Selene Rodriguez
Five years ago, South Texas College student Camila Sanchez walked away from her education during one of the most difficult moments of her life, a decision she would come to regret almost immediately.
Becoming a single mother gave her the strength and purpose to return, and now, she is just weeks away from becoming a physical therapist assistant, proving that second chances can change everything.
“As soon as I left, I regretted it. I felt like I had let myself down,” she said. “Life changed for me in many ways, especially after having my son. That’s when I knew I wouldn’t feel satisfied with myself until I came back, finished my degree and built a better life for us.”
An Edinburg native, Sanchez, 29, was accepted into STC’s Physical Therapist Assistant program in 2020 after completing prerequisite courses and working to strengthen her GPA for admission into the highly competitive program.
Inspired by a family member in the field, she discovered a career that combined her passion for fitness and health care.
“I wanted to do something related to exercise and working out, but I didn’t want to be a personal trainer,” she said. “I also knew I wanted to be in the medical field, I just didn’t know how to combine the two until my uncle introduced me to physical therapy.”
Sanchez began the program during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating online lectures and in-person labs under strict safety protocols. While the program was already demanding, the pressure was compounded by personal challenges and a lack of emotional support, leaving her feeling overwhelmed and isolated.
“I was in a relationship that wasn’t very supportive and I was trying to handle everything on my own. It all became too much, and I didn’t know how to ask for help,” she said. “I felt overwhelmed. My instructors could tell something was wrong and were very supportive, but ultimately it became too much, and I needed to step away from school.”
Sanchez returned to her job as a server and bartender at a local restaurant, where she had been working for several years.
Just months later, her life took another turn when she found out she was pregnant, a moment that shifted her perspective and gave her a renewed sense of purpose.
“I felt like I owed it to myself to come back and finish,” she said. “However, it wasn’t just about me anymore, it was about building a better life for my family.”
While working at the restaurant, Sanchez often spoke about the program and STC, encouraging coworkers to pursue physical therapy. As she watched some of them enroll and graduate, it motivated her even more to return and finish what she started.
In 2023, she began preparing to reenter the two-year program, addressing the challenges that once held her back, and officially returned in 2024.
“I had to learn how to organize my time and ask for help. I took classes, went to tutoring and worked my way back,” she said. “I wasn’t the same person when I came back.”
Now a single mother, Sanchez balanced the demands of school while raising her son, relying on a strong support system from her parents. She made financial and personal sacrifices to stay focused, cutting back on work and organizing her schedule around her responsibilities as both a student and a parent.
“My parents are my biggest support system. I couldn’t have done this without them,” she said. “My job has also been extremely supportive and flexible with my hours. It’s taken a village, but now it’s all going to be worth it.”
As she prepares to graduate, Sanchez hopes to begin her career in a hospital setting, where she can work in a fast-paced environment and continue developing her skills.
She is especially interested in hands-on patient care and helping individuals regain their independence, a part of the field she finds most rewarding.
“I realized I thrive in what I call ‘organized chaos,’ which is why I prefer the hospital,” she said. “I would love to continue my education and maybe become a physical therapist, but right now I’m focused on gaining experience and passing my certification exam.”
For Sanchez, the journey has been about more than earning a degree. It has been about growth, resilience and turning a dream into reality.
“My son is my biggest motivation. Seeing him every morning pushes me to keep going,” she said. “I truly believe I wouldn’t be where I am without STC. The instructors, counseling services and staff have all supported me, and my classmates have been incredible. That’s why I always recommend it to others. STC has helped me reach my dreams every step of the way.”
For more information on STC’s Physical Therapist Assistant program, visit southtexascollege.edu/academics/physical-therapist-assistant/ or call 956-872-3216.or call 956-872-3216.
