Welcome to the latest AHEC Newsletter with valuable health and education information! | |  | | | Welcome to the South Texas AHEC e-Notes for January 2026 | | | | Learning Opportunities and Upcoming Events | | | |  Follow South Texas AHEC Programs on Facebook @SouthTexasAHEC Come get to know us! Don't miss these two upcoming opportunities to meet the South Texas AHEC Program Office Staff. South Texas AHEC will be present and tabling to answer all your AHEC questions at both of these events. Pick up some swag and learn more about our upcoming and ongoing programs. Learn how we can offer opportunities to collaborate with and be a benefit to you.  
| | | |  Follow Southwest Border AHEC on Facebook @SWBAHEC
Happy New Year!
 Wishing you a happy New Year from Southwest Border AHEC! We look forward to working together in the year ahead to strengthen our communities and advance health education across our region. Bonifacio Vega (830) 758-1111 Black and gold 2029 Happy New Year Instagram Post.png
Cervical Cancer Awareness Fair and Loteria
January 27, 2026 from 5:00 to 8:00
International Center for Trade - Eagle Pass, Texas In partnership with Maverick County Hospital District, Southwest Border AHEC will host a Cervical Cancer Awareness event focused on education, prevention, and available screening resources for the community. Southwest Border AHEC will support outreach and help share important information on cervical cancer prevention and early detection. Community members are encouraged to attend, learn, and connect with local health resources in a welcoming and supportive environment. For more information, contact Bonifacio Vega at (830) 758-1111
Jornada de Salud (Community Health Fair)
February 3, 2026 from 9:00AM to 12:00PM
2207 North Bedell Avenue Del Rio, TX In partnership with the Consulado de México in Del Rio, Southwest Border AHEC will cohost a Jornada de Salud on February 3, 2026. The event will focus on preventive care and provide community members with access to free health screenings and educational resources. Community members are encouraged to stop by, take advantage of these free services, and learn more about ways to support their overall health and well-being. For more information, contact Bonifacio Vega at (830) 758-1111 | |  Follow Mid Rio Grande Border AHEC on Facebook @AreaHealthEducationCenter
Salud de la mujer: Prevencion Y Deteccion
January 29, 2026 The Women's Health: Prevention and Early Detection presentation focuses on educating women about the importance of preventive care and early detection of health conditions. Key topics include routine health screenings, early detection of cancers (such as cervical and breast cancer), vaccinations, and healthy lifestyle choices. The presentation also discusses risk factors, warning signs, and the importance of seeking medical care early. The goal is to empower women with clear, accessible information so they can make informed decisions about their health and overall well-being. For more information contact the AHEC Office at (956) 712-0037
| | | |  Follow South Coastal AHEC on Facebook @SouthCoastalAHEC.CC
Orange Grove Food Distribution
January 17, 2026 from 7am to 10am
306 Voelkel Ave, Orange Grove, Texas South Coastal AHEC coordinates a monthly food distribution for the small town of Orange Grove. Each month, the team passes out food to about 100 families. Non-profit organizations are encouraged to attend and provide information to families. For more information contact Brittany Serna at (361) 881-8133
South Coastal CHW Association Meeting
January 20, 2026 from 5:30PM to 7:30PM
South Coastal AHEC, 400 Mann St, Ste 600, Corpus Christi, TX, 78401 South Coastal AHEC has created a CHW association for the area. Each month, this group meets on the third Tuesday and discusses upcoming events, local issues, and collaborations. The meeting date and time rarely change. However, the location does vary to highlight a different organization in the community. This provides insight into how that organization may help the population each CHW serves. For more information contact Brittany Serna at (361) 881-8133
Annual Youth Traffic Safety & Prevention Event
January 24, 2026 9:00AM to 12:30PM
Mary Carroll High School, Corpus Christi, TX As a part of the Teen Health Project, South Coastal AHEC is partnering with the Nueces County Juvenile system to host a table and inform parents on the various curricula our teams have to offer. For more information contact Brittany Serna at (361) 881-8133 | |  Follow South Central AHEC on Facebook @SouthCentralTexasAHEC
Mental Health First Aid Training for Youth
January 14, 2026 from 8:00AM to 1:00PM via Zoom Spots Are Filling Fast-Join Our Youth Mental Health First Aid Training! Want to make a real difference in the lives of young people? This powerful 5-hour course will equip you with the skills to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges in children and adolescents ages 12-18. Whether you're an educator, youth leader, parent, or community member, becoming a certified Mental Health First Aider means you'll be ready to step up when young people need support most. With only 30 spots available, don't wait to secure your place in the MHFA family. Ready to be part of the solution? Contact us at [email protected] or [email protected] to reserve your seat today!
Understanding Congenital Syphilis in Newborns Webinar
January 29, 2026 at 12:00 CST
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JFrEBZ8STs25rMv9dg-5ew?_gl=1*7k185w*_gcl_au*MzQzNjM3NDgzLjE3NjE4NDI1OTk.*_ga*MTM0ODM1OTkxOC4xNzUzNzMzOTkz*_ga_L8TBF28DDX*czE3NjM1MDUzMDkkbzY5JGcxJHQxNzYzNTA2Nzg5JGo2MCRsMCRoMA..#/registration Join Migrant Clinicians Network and Health Outreach Partners for a webinar that provides current diagnosis, treatment, and management recommendations for congenital syphilis in newborns. Despite being completely preventable, congenital syphilis has increased over 740% and congenital syphilis-related stillbirths have increased 800% since 2014. Participants will gain a better understanding of prevention strategies, diagnosing, and treating congenital syphilis in agricultural workers and general populations. This webinar will be provided in English with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish. For more information go to: https://www.migrantclinician.org/
Be the Help Someone Needs - Adult Mental Health First Aid Training
January 31, 2026 from 8:00AM to 1:00PM over zoom Ready to become a lifeline for adults facing mental health challenges? Join us for our Adult Mental Health First Aid certification training! In just 5 hours, you'll gain essential skills to identify, understand, and respond to mental health and substance use challenges in adults. Whether you're a colleague, friend, family member, or community advocate, this training empowers you to provide crucial support when it matters most. With only 30 participants per session and spots filling quickly, now's the time to join the MHFA family and make a lasting impact. Contact [email protected]u or [email protected] to claim your spot before it's too late!
Health Professions Preview Day: Exploring Dentistry
February 7, 2026 from 11:15AM to 1:00PM
The Neighborhood Place, 3014 Rivas St, San Antonio, TX 78228
To Register, go to: https://redcap.link/Dentistry Calling all middle and high school students interested in healthcare! The UT San Antonio School of Dentistry-ranked #1 in Texas and 30th globally-invites students in grades 7-12 to Health Professions Preview Day: Exploring Dentistry. This free event offers an exciting opportunity to learn about the dental profession, discover what dental school is really like, and participate in hands-on activities that bring dentistry to life. Students will gain valuable insights into the application process and hear directly from those who are training to become dentists. Light refreshments will be provided. Space is limited, so register today! Take the first step toward an exciting career in dental healthcare! For more information, contact Ariel Gomez, [email protected] or (210) 793-7355.
Love Notes: Teen Empowerment Camp March 9-12, 2026
March 9, 2026 from 10:00AM to 2:30PM
The Neighborhood Place, 3014 Rivas St, San Antonio, TX 78228
register here: https://redcap.link/LoveNotes26 Love Notes Teen Empowerment Camp - Sign Up Now! High school students, mark your calendars! Join us for the Love Notes Teen Empowerment Camp, This FREE four-day camp helps you build the confidence, knowledge, and skills to create healthy relationships and take charge of your future. Plus, you'll earn 25 hours of service learning, a certificate of completion, gift cards, and awesome giveaway items! Space is limited and you must attend all four days, so register by Tuesday, March 3rd. Light refreshments provided daily. Questions? Contact Ariel Gomez at (210)-793-7355 or [email protected]. Don't miss out on this empowering experience! | |  Follow Lower Rio Grande Valley AHEC on Facebook @lrgv.ahec
Closing Out 2025! Here's to Another Great Year! As we closed out 2025, we strengthened our commitment to community wellness through a Diabetes Prevention Workshop for CHWs, offering DSHS-certified CEUs. The event promoted healthy lifestyles with a community mile walk, blood sugar and blood pressure screenings, nutritious meal preps, and wellness goodie bags—providing participants with practical tools to support lasting, healthy behavior changes. We are kicking off the new year by expanding our educational outreach in Starr County with a comprehensive series focused on cervical cancer, HPV, and diabetes prevention and awareness. These sessions are designed to empower community members with knowledge, prevention strategies, and access to reliable health information. In addition, we are launching our RED de Promotoras del Sur de Texas series, offering convenient online CEUs to support the continued professional development of Community Health Workers and Promotoras across South Texas.
Upcoming Events
 - Jan. 9th: CHW CE: Cancer Cervical
- Jan. 23rd: CHW CE: Prevención y Concienciación sobre la Diabetes.
- Jan. 28th: RED de Promotoras(es) del Sur de Texas Entrenamiento
Feel free to contact us for more information and details on the events at (956) 230-5144 or (956) 807-4314 or by email at [email protected] | |  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. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | South Texas Area Health Education Center Program Office
UT Health - San Antonio
7703 Floyd Curl Drive | San Antonio, TX 78229 | 210-567-0482 | | | | | | | | | | | |
