Mega Doctor News
McALLEN, Texas – Students from the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen will be hosting health events in Rio Grande Valley colonias this month.
Two student groups in the Project Management in Public Health course were assigned to implement a community-focused project addressing a public health issue within a colonia in the Rio Grande Valley. The teams collaborated with two organizations to determine the health issue and project deliverables in two colonia communities – the Texas A&M University Colonias Program and the House of Love and Justice, an organization dedicated to empowering families and transforming colonias along the U.S.-Mexico border. The students and organizations selected the All State Park in Edinburg, Texas, and the P2 Community Resource Center in San Juan, Texas, as the sites for the team projects.
On Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon, the team in Edinburg will host Colorful Connections, an event dedicated to spreading mental health awareness, at the All State Park at 107 N. Sunflower Road. The event will provide counseling information sessions, mental health resources and opportunities to collect free produce and participate in family activities such as painting, cookie decorating and a raffle contest.
On Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon, the team in San Juan will lead a Women’s Health Fair at the P2 Community Resource Center at 509 E. Earling Rd. They will provide free health screenings, flu shots and produce, educational presentations, and a game of loteria (bingo) with prizes.
Dr. Krystal Flores-Chavez, instructional assistant professor at the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen, was awarded a $5,000 High Impact Teaching Grant for the course, giving each team $2,500 to develop its project.
“The assignment is a fun and engaging way for students to learn course concepts through real-world application. Creating lasting, sustainable change in our region begins with establishing a public health workforce that can confidently and skillfully address health challenges,” Flores-Chavez said. “My hope is that students walk away feeling inspired by the work they accomplished and well-equipped to pursue other service opportunities in the field of public health.”
Media is invited to attend both events for photo and interview opportunities. Community members interested in attending the events are encouraged to register at tx.ag/ColorfulConnections and tx.ag/WomensHealthFair.
