STHS Donates $5,000 To TSTC Foundation For Educational Scholarships Related To The Allied Health Programs At TSTC Harlingen Campus

In its mission to help build a strong healthcare workforce in the Rio Grande Valley, STHS is proud to help provide financial assistance to students pursuing higher education through Texas State Technical College’s allied health programs

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’s booming 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. “This investment 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.

About South Texas Health System

South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.