Mega Doctor News
Providing essential diagnostic, therapeutic and direct care services that support physicians and nurses, allied health professionals play an essential role in the hospital setting, allowing healthcare systems like South Texas Health System (STHS) to operate effectively and efficiently while helping improve patient outcomes.
Currently, there’s a high and growing need for allied health professionals in the United States, including surgical technologists, radiographers and biomedical equipment technicians, driven by the nation’s aging population, the rise in chronic diseases and the increasing demand for preventative, telehealth and outpatient care.
Making up 60% of the healthcare workforce, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for allied health professionals is predicted to increase by 19-22% by 2030.
In the Rio Grande Valley, STHS is dedicated to helping meet the need for allied health professionals across the ever-growing four-county region by providing financial assistance to students pursuing healthcare careers at local institutions of higher education, including Texas State Technical College (TSTC) in Harlingen.
Recognizing the importance education plays in training and developing a proficient health workforce in our medically underserved communities, STHS recently donated $5,000 to The TSTC Foundation in support of TSTC’sbooming allied healthcare programs, including its biomedical equipment, surgical technology, vocational nursing and LVN to RN transition nursing programs in Cameron County.
“Strong partnerships between hospitals and higher education institutions like TSTC are vital for developing a skilled future workforce, fostering innovation and improving patient care,” says Emma Montes-Ewing, Chief Executive Office, STHS McAllen. “STHS is proud of its longstanding partnership with TSTC Harlingen, which has benefited nursing and allied health students through enhanced, real-world training and graduates who are better prepared for the workforce.”
“Over the years, TSTC has trained a solid and steady pipeline of talent, including surgical technologists, biomedical equipment technicians and nurses, who have successfully transitioned into the workforce while bringing their exceptional skills to STHS facilities,” says Lance Ames, CEO, STHS Edinburg & STHS Children’s. “Well-prepared for the realities of modern healthcare practice, TSTC’s allied health graduates have helped STHS improve patient outcomes through evidence-based care.”
It’s the second year in a row that STHS has made a $5,000 donation to the TSTC Foundation to support students pursuing allied health careers, bringing the total of educational scholarship funds to $10,000.
“The TSTC Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks to South Texas Health System for its generous donation in support of our allied health students,” says Like Lucio, Senior Development Officer, The TSTC Foundation. “Thisinvestment helps us continue to prepare skilled healthcare professionals who will make a lasting impact in our communities.”
In addition to making the donation to The TSTC Foundation, STHS leaders had the opportunity to tour the new biomedical building at TSTC Harlingen, which includes spaces for advanced electronics, soldering and medical device repair, mock patient care areas, virtual reality (VR) rooms and instructional staff offices.
As the largest integrated network of care in the Rio Grande Valley, STHS employs more than 3,500 employees across 12 facilities in the region, all committed to providing quality, compassionate care. To learn more about STHS, including its philanthropic efforts to help develop a strong healthcare workforce, download the system’s 2025 Community Profile at https://www.southtexashealthsystem.com/about.
