Alumni of the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) met with the organization’s board of directors on Dec. 27 to share their continued successes and opportunities in continuing their higher education pursuits. The annual gathering is an AHEC tradition that spans many years.
Julie Bazan, executive director of AHEC, said the annual exchange during the holidays is also an affirmation of friendships. “They are part of the AHEC family. We want to hear of hurdles they encountered and how they mastered them. They are leaders in their fields who create paths for other Laredo students to follow,” she said.
Of the 11 who shared their experiences, three were recent university graduates. They were Melissa Marchan and Stephanie Hernandez, TAMIU graduates who will pursue graduate degrees, and Juan Ruiz, a Texas A&M University-College Station graduate who has been accepted to law school.
The remaining seven students are currently enrolled in higher education health-related programs for degrees in medicine and education.
“AHEC teaches students to transcend fear in making a career choice. You don’t just learn about careers; you also find your passion to help others,” said Ruiz.
“There is absolutely nothing more inspiring than to witness students improve their lives through education. They transform themselves, their family, and the community,” said Bazan, adding, “AHEC programs and staff focus on resources, time, and commitment to each student who becomes part of the AHEC family. They each know that AHEC will cheer, motivate, encourage and help them to open all doors with every step forward they take.”
(The Area Health Education Center of the Mid Rio Grande Border Area is an outreach program under the UT Health San Antonio and is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization with a mission to enhance the quality of life in the communities by increasing the number of well-trained health care workers; enhancing academic resources; and fostering a healthy lifestyle through community education programs. For additional information about AHEC and its menu of programs, visit www.mrgbahec.org or call 956 712-0037.)
