Recent Successes  Visit the Southwest Border AHEC on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/southwestborder.ahec Cervical Cancer Informational Event: On January 29, 2020 Southwest Border AHEC joined the Maverick County Hospital District to raise awareness about cervical health. Community Health Workers and scholars attended the event to learn about prevention strategies and resources available to cancer patients and survivors. Southwest Border AHEC Director, Brenda Hoffman, provided information regarding HPV- Treatment, Symptoms and Causes. The event took place at the International Center for Trade in Eagle Pass, Texas.   Teen Dating Violence Awareness: On February 7th, 2020, Sandra Vela, CHW, a SWB AHEC Scholar, provided students information about teen dating violence and the importance of building healthy relationships based on equality, respect and trust. The event took place at the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas education department.  Healthy Heart, Healthy You Seminar: Southwest Border AHEC and Redeemer Episcopal School joined the American Heart Association in advocating and fighting against heart disease. AHEC Scholars and CHW’s educated Redeemer students on the functions of the heart and the significance of taking care of it. Topics discussed included a hands on demonstration using a stethoscope and blood pressure machine, the functions of the heart, and the importance of healthy eating and physical exercise.   American Heart Month Seminar and Health Fair: United Medical Center hosted an American Heart Seminar on February 18, 2020. Southwest Border AHEC Scholars provided information regarding heart disease and provided free blood pressure screenings. The event took place at the International Center for Trade in Eagle Pass.   Transfer and Career Day at Southwest Texas Junior College: Southwest Border AHEC participated at Southwest Texas Junior College Transfer and Career Day event. Information about health careers was provided and HOT Jobs books were distributed. The event took place on February 25th, 2020 at SWTJC Multipurpose Room.    WE HAVE MOVED!!! Southwest Border AHEC's new address is 1080 Crown Ridge Ste. 2, Eagle Pass, Texas 78852.  Visit the MRGB AHEC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/areahealtheducationcenter 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 though community education programs. For additional information about AHEC and the menu of programs, visit https://www.facebook.com/AreaHealthEducationCenter or www.mrgbahec.org or call (956)712-0037. MRGB AHEC Prepares Students for Professional Programs Admissions: The Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Board of Directors eagerly reports the success of the PREP Program. In support of its mission to increase the number of providers in the region, the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) recently offered the PREP program for students entering the medical field. The PREP is a six-week intense review of admissions tests for health professions and is offered from January through March. It is designed to prepare students to take the required exam to enter a medical, dental and other advanced health programs. The goal of the program is to increase the pool of qualified applicants to enter health professional schools. The program includes 70 contact hours in review of biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics and verbal skills. The students enrolled in the program are administered a pre and post-test utilizing the MCAT exams. This offers students an opportunity to experience the test content and the test structure. The cost to register and course materials is offered at no cost to the students who are carefully screened to participate. This program is made possible through a collaborative partnership between Texas A&M International University and AHEC. A total of thirteen “students obtained the benefits of this program designed to help each of them succeed in their educational journey” reported Julie Bazan, AHEC Executive Director.  AHEC Scholars Serve Community: The Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Scholars program is a two-year program for college and university students enrolled in a health program to enhance their knowledge and offer real life experiences in a health setting. The program is offered at no cost and is one of many valuable services offered by AHEC to engage and motivate students to excel beyond their expectations. Students in the program complete a didactic and practicum focused on the needs of the community. Through their efforts and commitment to improving the community, on February 8, 2020 AHEC Scholars served 93 adults during the health and education fair offered by the Office of the Mexican Consulate in Laredo, Texas. The event, which was free to the public, offered a variety of education on topics of interest to the community as well as health screening and health referral services. Scholars also interacted with members of the community and utilized their learned skills to conduct health interviews and create awareness about the numerous services available to serve families and residents. Scholars utilized a popular tool during the event, which also generated curiosity and sparked an interest in the attendees who lined up to obtain their blood pressure, BMI and body’s age based on the physical condition of their individual body. Scholars pleasantly served and left a positive mark on each member present. “At AHEC, we offer support for students in their academics, and we understand the impact of hands on activities on their learning. These type of activities benefits all participants; students and residents” explained Julie Bazan, AHEC Executive Director.    Visit the South Central AHEC on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SouthCentralTexasAHEC/ South Central AHEC Scholars Win Poster Prize!: Congratulations to our Scholars Gazhal Rashidi, Alyssa Crawford, Taylor Tisdale, Ifeoma Nkemakolam, Tamara Williams and Carlos Hinojosa! Their poster entitled “The Importance of Interprofessional Team-Based Care for the Homeless Population in San Antonio” was selected by the UT Health San Antonio interprofessional (IPE) poster review committee as the 2020 Community Service Learning Conference 3rd Place IPE Winner. Our Center is proud of their exemplary effort in conducting an interprofessional community service learning project and their professional presentation at the conference held earlier this year!  Welcome to Alvin Estacio!: Our graduate student assistant, Alvin Estacio, recently accepted the position of Research Area Specialist-Senior at South Central AHEC. Alvin has been at our Center for two years as a graduate student assistant. Upon his graduation from the UT School of Public Health in December, Alvin became our full-time data-base manager and co-coordinator for the South Central AHEC Scholars program. We welcome Alvin and all his great skills!  UTSA Dietetic Intern Rotation with South Central AHEC: The UTSA Dietetic Program partners with South Central AHEC to provide a rotation for their students and this month we welcome Leah Wisner to our office. Leah, who was born and raised in Laredo, is a senior student who will graduate in May, 2020. During her time with AHEC, Leah has presented a program on Heritage Diets and their importance in understanding the dietary traditions and cultural beliefs of the diverse population of the United States. Additionally, Leah represented AHEC at the Dilley High School Health and Wellness Fair held on March 5th at Dilley High School. Leah spoke to high school students about health professions programs and careers that are available once they complete high school. Of course, she spoke of the Dietetics Program at UTSA with the students. Much luck to Leah and her future endeavors!  STOP HCV-HCC Leadership Board Meets in San Antonio, Feb. 21st : The final formal meeting of the STOP HCV-HCC Leadership Board was held on Feb. 21st at the ReACH Center on Feb. 21st. The project is funded through CPRIT and consists of a diverse group of stakeholders from across Texas who share knowledge, best-practices, and innovations regarding Hep C screening and management. Led by Dr. Barbara Turner, the group has met quarterly for two years, either face-to-face or teleconferencing. It is now incumbent upon the group to disseminate the information learned throughout Texas and beyond. In an analysis of the incidence of HCC in all 50 US states, the rate of increase in HCC has slowed from 2010 through 2012. However, incidence is increasing in subgroups such as men ages 55- to 64 years old—especially those born in the peak era of hepatitis C virus infection and among whites/Caucasians. Rates in Hispanics have surpassed those in Asian Americans and Texas had the highest age-adjusted HCC rates nationwide for this time period. South Central AHEC is a partner on the STOP HCC-HCV Board who represent a collaborative effort to address the epidemic of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the state of Texas. The result of this collaboration is a website and other outreach materials, in English and Spanish, that can be found at www.stophepatitisc.com.  Health and Wellness Fair: Dilley ISD hosted a Health and Wellness Day to promote healthy living and to connect their students with health services in the community and health careers. The fair will took place on March 5, 2020.   Visit the South Coastal AHEC on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/South-Coastal-AHEC-164097279738/ “Know Your Number Day”: On February 1, 2020 South Coastal AHEC participated in the annual “Know Your Number Day” for Nueces County Community Event. In partnership with American Heart Association we have been able to provide blood pressure readings and education regarding the safety of knowing your numbers to hundreds of our community members in Corpus Christi and surrounding areas.   Sea Shore Middle Academy – Vision and Hearing Screenings: In partnership with Commissioner Brent Chesney, South Coastal AHEC completed vision and hearing screenings for Sea Shore Middle Academy grades 5-8. This event was not only a great help to the school but for the community parents and children!  Riviera ISD 2020 College and Career Fair: South Coastal AHEC took part in Kaufer Early College High School’s 2020 College and Career Fair on January 9, 2020 in Riviera, Texas. This activity provided an opportunity for the high school students to learn from college representatives and industry professionals about the importance of higher education and the various career pathways that will be available to them after high school. We were able to reach over 100 students in helping them to recognize their talent and potential as future healthcare professionals.   Discover Your Direction: SCAHEC participated in the county wide Discover Your Direction: Exploring Endorsements Youth Leadership Conference on February 25th and 26th, 2020. This educational event was designed to provide high school students with an opportunity to learn about the wide range of career opportunities that will be available to them by continuing their education beyond high school. SCAHEC presented on the topic of Great Paying Jobs in Healthcare to over 200 students.   Salud en Mis Manos (SEMMx): SEMMx is in full effect at South Coastal AHEC! We are excited to get the word out about Salud En Mis Manos/Health in My Hands, education for Hispanic or Latina women regarding prevention and early detection of breast and cervical cancer and offer these women free or low-cost mammogram, pap smears and HPV vaccines. Our South Coastal AHEC community health care workers have done back to back presentation and education for Moody High School on February 15 and 27.    Visit the LRGV AHEC on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/lrgv.ahec  Beginning late last fall, the LRGV AHEC has hosted a weekly community health worker training course for members of the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, in Kingsville, TX. The course is led by LRGV’s Janie Escanero, CHW-I, and currently has three students (Charlotte Lewis, Donia Tatum, Andy Shelton). Prior to the start of the course, LRGV AHEC and the South Texas Program Office met with members of the St. Paul AME community in Kingsville. During this meeting, community members expressed interest in incorporating a community health project into their CHW certification training. Dr. Janna Lesser enlisted the support of two doctoral students from UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing interested in Community Based Participatory Research to work with the CHW students to identify and pursue a health project. Over the past three months, the three CHW students from St. Paul AME; the two doctoral students, Nia Lane and Shanae Rhodes; and members from the ST-AHEC Program Office have met weekly over Zoom to participate in the CHW course and engage in discussions related to their community. On January 12, 2020, the two doctoral students, along with Janie Escareno and Armando Lopez from LRGV AHEC, spent the day with the CHW students and the St. Paul AME community; they attended their church service and were given a tour of the neighborhood. As the group walked around the neighborhood, the CHW students expressed the many strengths of their community, including, the newly improved park and the generosity of their neighbors; but also shared some challenges and concerns. Since the face-to-face meeting in January, the doctoral students presented a training to CHW students on how-to conduct a community health needs assessment. Over the course of the presentation, the CHW students brainstormed and discussed plans for some short and long term goals in order to move forward with their health project. There was a noticeable amount of excitement and enthusiasm around the group’s discussion during the training and everyone is looking forward to a community wide meeting in the near future. | 
