Texas Border Business
A strong healthcare workforce begins with quality education and training. For students pursuing careers in nursing and allied health, access to educational opportunities is essential for developing the knowledge, clinical skills and hands-on experience needed to deliver high-quality patient care.
With healthcare occupations projected to generate approximately 1.9 million job openings annually through 2035, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals is more important than ever.
Recognizing the critical role education plays in workforce development, South Texas Health System (STHS) continues to invest in local educational institutions and nonprofit organizations that help prepare future healthcare professionals, including the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen.
As part of its ongoing partnership with Texas A&M University, which already includes residency training opportunities through the STHS GME Consortium, STHS has once again donated $5,000 to the university’s McAllen campus. The contribution will support the campus’ Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, which launched in January 2026.
“There’s a tremendous amount of talent here in the Rio Grande Valley, and we want to ensure students have the opportunities and resources needed to reach their full potential,” said Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Edinburg and STHS Children’s. “Many of these students will go on to care for our friends, neighbors and loved ones. Supporting their education is an investment not only in their future, but in the long-term health of our community.”
The donation will help offset educational expenses through scholarship opportunities while supporting the campus’ efforts to expand allied health programming and develop additional workforce training initiatives.
“We’re grateful to STHS for its continued generosity and investment in our students,” said Ernie Aliseda, Chief Operating Officer and Associate Vice President, Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen. “This contribution reflects our shared commitment to developing the next generation of healthcare professionals. Support from community partners like STHS helps create meaningful educational opportunities while addressing the growing healthcare needs of our region.”
This marks the third consecutive year that STHS has provided financial support to the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen, bringing its total educational scholarship contributions to $20,000.
As the largest integrated network of care in the Rio Grande Valley, STHS employs more than 3,600 individuals across 12 facilities dedicated to providing quality, compassionate care. Through investments in education, workforce development and community partnerships, STHS remains committed to helping build a strong pipeline of future healthcare professionals for South Texas.
To learn more about STHS and its efforts to support healthcare workforce development, download the system’s 2026 Community Profile at southtexashealthsystem.com/about/.
