ST-AHEC Monthly eNotes and Newsletter

Welcome to the South Texas AHEC e-Notes for August 2025

Learning Opportunities and Upcoming Events

Follow Southwest Border AHEC on Facebook @SWBAHEC

Promotoras En Accion - Skin Cancer Prevention

August 20, 2025 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
2344 El Indio HWY, Eagle Pass, Texas

On August 20, 2025, Southwest Border AHEC will host a Continuing Education session for community health workers focused on skin cancer prevention. The event will take place from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in Eagle Pass and will feature guest speaker Sonia Rincon from UTHSCSA. Designed to enhance knowledge and awareness, the session will provide participants with important education on preventing skin cancer and promoting sun safety within their communities. For more information, contact: Bonifacio Vega at (361) 426-9510

Fall 2025 CHW Course Announcement

August 25, 2025 through October 17, 2025
Classroom Instruction held over Zoom

Southwest Border AHEC is excited to announce an upcoming Texas Community Health Worker (CHW) Certification Course beginning on August 25, 2025. This 8-week program is designed to prepare individuals to serve as certified CHWs, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to support and advocate for health in their communities. Participants will engage in interactive, hands-on training covering core competencies such as communication, cultural mediation, health education, and service coordination. Upon successful completion, students will be eligible to apply for certification through the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). For more information, contact: Bonifacio Vega at (361) 426-9510

Jornada de Salud - Pruebas de Presion Arterial y Glucosa

August 26,2025, from 9:30-12:00PM
Consulado de Mexico,2207 N Bedell Ave, Eagle Pass, Texas

On August 26, 2025, El Consulado de Mexico in Del Rio in partnership with Southwest Border AHEC will host a Health and Wellness Fair from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM in Del Rio. The event is designed to provide free health screenings and vaccinations to the community members of Del Rio. Southwest Border AHEC will conduct health screenings and offer health education to participants. Over 150 community members are expected to attend. For more information, contact: Bonifacio Vega (361) 426-9510

Health & Wellness Employee Fair

August 28, 2025 from 7:30 - 10:30am in Eagle Pass, Texas

On August 28, 2025, Maverick County Hospital District will host a Health and Wellness Employee Fair from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM in Eagle Pass, with Southwest Border AHEC serving as a main partner. The event is designed to provide free health screenings and vaccinations to City of Eagle Pass employees. Southwest Border AHEC will conduct health screenings and offer health education to participants. Over 50 community members are expected to attend, supporting a healthier workforce and promoting preventive care. For more information contact: Bonifacio Vega (361) 426-9510

Follow Mid Rio Grande Border AHEC on Facebook @AreaHealthEducationCenter

Rally Up!

August 29,2025 from 11:30 to 12:00
On the Corner of McPherson & Del Mar

This event is held to promote the 988 crisis life line with posters in the corner of McPherson & Delmar. For more information contact the AHEC office at (956) 712-0037

5k Run/Walk & Mental Health Wellness Fair

September 6, 2025 from 7:00 - 11:00am
10202 International BLVD, Laredo, TX

The 5K Run/Walk & Mental Health Wellness Fair will be held on Saturday September 6, 2025. The walk and Fair are promoting the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. For more information contact the Mid Rio Grande Border AHEC Office at 956-712-0037

29th Annual Domestic Violence Conference

October 2. 2025 from 8:30 to 5:00
Texas A&M international University

This Conference is organized to learn about Domestic Violence. For more information , contact AHEC Office at (956) 712-0037.

41st Annual Update in Medicine Conference

Friday October 24 to Saturday October 25, 2025

41st Annual Update in Medicine Conference will be held October 24-25, 2025 and will be offering current health information on various conditions affecting the community. For more information, please contact the Mid Rio Grande Border AHEC Office 956-712-0037

Follow South Coastal AHEC on Facebook @SouthCoastalAHEC.CC

Orange Grove Food Distribution

August 16, 2025 from 7:00 to 10:00am
306 Voelkel Ave, Orange Grove, TX

The third Saturday of the month is for food distribution! Every third Saturday of the month, South Coastal AHEC travels to Orange Grove, TX, to distribute food for the community. Each month, they see over 100 families. For more information, contact Brittany Serna at 361-881-8133

South Coastal Community Health Worker Association

Next Meeting - August 19, 2025

South Coastal AHEC has helped create a local Community Health Worker Association. This association meets every third Tuesday of the month to provide one free CEU, inform each other on the upcoming events, learn about new resources, and fill gaps in care for the community. For more information, contact: Brittany Serna at (361) 881-8133

Operation Health & Wellness Wrap up

September 9, 2025 from 8:30-10:00AM
1983 Mexi-Cafe, Corpus Christi, TX

Operation Health & Wellness is a week-long health collaborative to offer free services to the community. This event took place from July 21 to July 26th. In September, the partner organizations will meet to go over the data collected. This data will help plan for next year's event and improve the overall operation. For more information, contact Belinda Flores at 361-881-8133

10th MNP CE Quarterly

September 25, 2025 from 5:00 - 9:40PM
Omni Hotel, 900 N. Shoreline Blvd

"This Medicine-Nursing-Pharmacy CE Quarterly programing is set forth to provide healthcare professionals with up-to-date information. By the end of the conference, participants will be able to utilize data presented and work in multidisciplinary teams to ensure that each patient is managed based on best practices and current guidelines. This three-hour continuing education program will feature exceptional speakers covering various topics including Lung Cancer, Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), and Electrophysiology and Pharmacotherapy."- 10th MNP CE Quarterly Brochure. For more information, contact Bonifacio Vega at 361-881-8133

Follow South Central AHEC on Facebook @SouthCentralTexasAHEC

Community Health Summit

October, 24, 2025 from 8:00AM to 1:00PM
McKenna Event Center 801 W San Antonio St , New Braunfels, TX 78130

Save the Date: 2025 Community Health Summit "Pathways to a Healthier Community Ahead" 📅 Date: Friday, October 24, 2025 🕗 Time: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM 📍 Location: McKenna Events Center, 801 W San Antonio St, New Braunfels, TX 78130 Join us for a half-day summit focused on local health issues, equity, and innovation in Comal and Guadalupe Counties. Open to the public, this event brings together health professionals, students, and community members. Event Highlights: Panel Discussions on community health issues, Comal Cares Resource Hub, Community Health Worker Presentations Culinary Medicine: Learn-Prepare-Eat Session Continuing Education Credits: CME, CEU, and CE (pending approval) 📣 Call for Abstracts - Now Open! Do you have innovative work in community health, wellness, or health equity? Submit your poster abstract and share your insights with the community! New Deadline to Submit: October 1, 2025 📧For more information contact: [email protected] or [email protected] or call (830) 629-8161

2025 IIMS Community Engagement Symposium - SAVE THE DATE!

November 8, 2025 from 8:00AM to 2:00PM
Register at: https://tinyurl.com/CESymposium2025
The Neighborhood Place 3014 Rivas St. San Antonio, TX, 78237

Audience: Community Members, Investigators, Practitioners, and Students are welcome! Free Event! the IIMS proudly presents: "Deep Roots, Resilient Voices, and Collective Action through Community-Academic Partnerships in Health Research" 🎟️ Free Event! The Institute for Integration of Medicine & Science (IIMS) invites community members, students, practitioners, and investigators to join a day of networking, collaboration, and dialogue centered on community-engaged health research. What to Expect: Dynamic presentations and discussions. Opportunities to connect with local leaders and academic researchers Focus on building resilient, community-driven partnerships in health 📢 Call for Abstracts Now Open! Do you have work related to community-academic partnerships or health research to showcase? 👉 Submit your abstract: 🔗 https://redcap.link/xnhclmb0 📌 Register here: 🔗 https://tinyurl.com/CESymposium2025 For questions, contact: 📧 [email protected] 📞 (210) 562-4087

Frio County TAB Presents 4th Annual Fall Family Festival

November 15, 2025 from 11:00AM to 2
147 W Davila St. Pearsall, TX 78061

🎉 You're Invited to the 4th Annual Fall Family Festival! 🍁Frio County TAB is excited to host the 4th Annual Fall Family Festival - a fun-filled community event for all ages! 📍 Location: Polo Patiño Park, 147 W. Davila St., Pearsall, TX 78061 📅 Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025 🕚 Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Bring the whole family and enjoy:🎶 Live Music 🎁 Free Giveaways 🩺 Health Screenings 🌟 Community Resources 🎨 Face Painting and so much more! Interested in showcasing your services or products? Become a vendor today! Don't miss out on this amazing day of community, fun, and family. See you there For more information, contact: [email protected] or call (210) 793-7355

Expressive Therapeutic Rhythm Making

Remaining dates: September 6, October 4, November 1, and December 6
Held at The Center every 1st Saturday of the month from 10:00 - 11:30am

🥁 Get in the Groove with Expressive Therapeutic Rhythm Making! 🎶 Join us for a monthly rhythm-making session hosted by the Therapeutic Expressive Arts Institute of South Texas - a creative, no-cost opportunity open to individuals of all ages and abilities! ✨ No experience needed - drums and percussion are provided! Whether you're new to rhythm or a seasoned beat-maker, this is a safe and energizing space to: Relieve stress, Boost creativity, Connect with your community, Bond with friends and family Have fun through music and movement! 🧘‍♀️ Breaks are provided, and all abilities are welcome. Come express yourself - we can't wait to jam with you! For more information contact: Jorge Ochoa, [email protected] or call (210) 289-7100

Follow Lower Rio Grande Valley AHEC on Facebook @lrgv.ahec

The AHEC Scholars Program is Enrolling Health Profession Students!

The AHEC Scholars Program is an opportunity for certain health profession students (medical, advanced practice nursing, registered nursing, pharmacy, physician assistants, dentistry, graduate psychology, CHWs, graduate public health, social workers, and others) to participate in interprofessional healthcare team activities. The duration of the program is 1-2 years (depending on discipline), runs concurrently with a student’s academic curriculum, and concludes when the student graduates from their respective health profession program. In addition to educational and professional enrichment, the AHEC Scholars Program offers a $500 stipend, per year involved in the program, to help offset student costs.

If you are interested in applying please click here. The AHEC Scholars Program is explained in greater detail at https://stahec.uthscsa.edu/ahec-scholars-2. Alternatively, please contact Roni Vela by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone: 361-881-8133, for more information.

Partner Announcements

Pancreatic Cancer Retreat Brings Together Researchers, Community