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ARCHIVE NEWS - Issue
4
Rio Grande City Elementary School Named After UTHSCSA Vice President
All Children Can Learn
The Autism Society of Greater San Antonio
Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Self-Management Training
Mid Rio Grande Border AHEC Sponsors Local Events
MRGB AHEC Assumes Leadership Role in Conducting Need Assessment
Dilley Health Careers Club Explores Emergency Medical Technologies
CSTP and AHEC Office News
South Coastal AHEC Attends Robstown Health Fair
NEWSLETTER
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Rio Grande City Elementary School Named After UTHSCSA Vice President
From the HSC News
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Mario E. Ramirez, M.D., vice president for South Texas programs at the Health Science Center and a former member of the UT System Board of Regents, spent more than 50 years practicing family medicine in Starr County. He since has invested a dozen more years heading an innovative pipeline program that motivates interested young people to enter health professional careers.
So, it was fitting Feb. 15 in Starr County when a new elementary school was celebrated: the Dr. Mario E. Ramirez Elementary School in Rio Grande City. Equally appropriate, the event showcased students attending the school, including a special song dedicated to Dr. Ramirez from the pre-kinder, kindergarten and first-grade students.
Dr. Ramirez was born in Starr County and attended high school in Roma, graduating at age 16. He attended The University of Texas, graduating in a little over two years, and was accepted at the University of Tennessee medical school at the age of 18. During his residency program at Shreveport Charity Hospital, he met, and eventually married, nursing student Sarah Aycock and brought her back to Starr County to establish their home and medical practice.
Dr. Ramirez’s appointments and honors include president of Texas Medical Association (the first Hispanic to serve in this capacity), Family Doctor of the Year (announced by President Jimmy Carter), vice chairman of the Committee on Health Care of the Poor (American Medical Association), regent of the Military Medical School in Bethesda (an appointment by President Ronald Reagan), and regent of The University of Texas System (an appointment by Gov. Bill Clements).
 Dr. Ramirez joined the Health Science Center in 1995 and has accepted the challenge to get more students from the Texas/Mexico border into health professions schools. Since the inception of his Med-Ed Program in 1996, he has championed that cause. Last year, 60 students were accepted into Texas medical schools from the border region, more than double the number accepted when Med-Ed began.
“The naming of the Dr. Mario E. Ramirez Elementary School in Rio Grande City is a most appropriate honor, as he has been a lifelong advocate of education,” said Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., president of the Health Science Center. “Although Dr. and Mrs. Ramirez have moved to McAllen to be near their children, Dr. Ramirez spent the majority of his life in Starr County, and his heart remains in the county of his birth.”
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All Children Can Learn
Jose S. Jones, Jr.
 O Jannuary 28, 2006, Dr. Larry Morning Star, Director, Center for Health and Health Care Disparities and Jose Jones, HETC- South Central Region Coordinator, Center for South Texas Programs, attended the 15th Annual Parent Conference held at C.C. Winn Campus in the Eagle Pass Independent School District. Over 700+ participants attended this one-day conference for parents.
This one-day conference was to ensure effective involvement of parents and to support a partnership among the school involved, parents, and the community to improve student academic achievement. A highlight of the conference was the number of parents taking a real part in their children’s education. The parents had over 24 breakout sessions to select from including Nutrition and the New Food Pyramid, What Parents Need to Know about Drugs and Alcohol and Their Children, Recognizing Early Signs of Drug Abuse, and many others.
There were over 60 exhibits ranging from Building Bridges Program, Texas A&M ram, CHIP, Quad Counties on Alcohol & Drug Abuse, UT-Austin Migrant Student Program, Elementary School Programs, and health care services. The Center for South Texas Programs staff shared their experiences about past programs and community outreach in building partnerships in communities.
The Health Science Tech-Ed Program (freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors) provided blood pressure, glucose, and vision checks. The Health Science Tech-Ed Program is directed by an outstanding registered nurse, and the program has received national, state, and district recognition.
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The Autism Society of Greater San Antonio
Paula Winkler, M.Ed.
The South Central AHEC partnered with the Autism Society of Greater San Antonio to co-sponsor a one day training workshop for parents, teachers and health professions students entitled: “Positive Behavior Support” and “Motivation of Behaviors, How to Break the Trend.” Over 160 participants gathered at the North Campus of the UTHSCSA to hear two speakers discuss this issue of behavior in relation to children and adults with autism and autism spectrum disorders. Autism is a developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. Individuals with autism may have severely impaired or lack of communication skills, exhibit inappropriate behaviors and the lack of desire or skills for social interaction. Greater awareness and understanding of autism has increased the number of individuals who are now being properly diagnosed with the disorder. Statistics reflect autism to be found in 1 in 500 births, making autism the third most common developmental disorder. Speakers for the training were Tisha Gonzales, a speech language pathologist and Marci Taylor, an occupational therapist. Evaluations from both teachers and parents indicate a tremendous interest to continue to address this topic through training programs.
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Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Self-Management Training
Jose S. Jones, Jr.
On February 8- 10, Gateway Community Health Center, Inc (GCHC) conducted training in San Antonio on Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Self-Management to Community Health Workers and Health Professionals. Jose Jones of the South Central Region Health Education Training Center attended the event in preparation for upcoming workshops in the South Texas area. Participants received information on diabetes and cardiovascular disease but also health information to broadcast to the community in a way that is fun and easy to understand.
A total of 12 participants from different community agencies from San Antonio and California received training on self-management. The training, facilitated by Otila Garcia and Enedeth Salas, will help people with diabetes/cardiovascular disease to learn self-management skills and make lifestyle changes to effectively manage their chronic disease and prevent complications.
Along with the training, participants received a curriculum and a toolbox with materials that are culturally appropriate and are based in a participatory empowerment approach that emphasizes goal setting, capacity building, problem solving skills, and social support between the self management course participants.
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Mid Rio Grande Border AHEC Sponsors Local Events
Julie Bazan
 During the month of January 2006, the Mid Rio Grande Border AHEC hosted an in-service for the parents of United Independent School District students. The goal of this in-service was to provide parents with tips on keeping their children motivated and helping their children to succeed in school. In addition, this in-service highlighted the importance of the school’s Parent-Teacher-Committee (PTC) and the roles and responsibilities of the PTC officers during the school year. A total of 76 parents attended; 50 were from elementary school and 26 from middle school.
In February, the MRGB AHEC also sponsored a hearing and vision screening for 20 four and five year old children attending the Camilo Child Development Center located at the Laredo Community College campus. Ms. Rosangela Velasco conducted the screening at the center.
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MRGB AHEC Assumes Leadership Role in Conducting Need Assessment
Julie Bazan
The Mid Rio Grande Border AHEC is collaborating with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in conducting a needs assessment for nutrition education and services in Laredo and Webb County, Texas. Recently, a coalition was formed between Laredo Community College, Texas A&M International University and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio to investigate, plan and implement a dietetics education program that would engage students at all three campuses. In order for new programs to be developed, a formal needs assessment is required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The MRGB AHEC has agreed to assume a leadership role in conducting the needs assessment in the Mid Rio Grande Border region. The first focus group meeting was held on Monday, January 30, 2006 with members from the community and a committee of the MRGB AHEC Board of Trustees.
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Dilley Health Careers Club Explores Emergency Medical Technologies
Mabel Aguilar & Kimberly Ferguson, CHES
This past summer five high school students from Dilley, Texas had the opportunity to participate in the Community Approach to Careers in Health (CATCH) Academy, a core function of the South Central Area Health Education Center’s health careers program. Three other South Texas high schools had student representatives take part in this same one-week program held at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). These students actively participated in lectures and hands-on activities centered around various allied health careers. These high school students made a commitment to take their experiences back to their communities. Each group was to lead their peers in a project to enhance health awareness in their respective communities.
The Dilley High School (DHS) group decided to contribute to their community by bringing health professionals to be guest speakers at monthly meetings and hosting a Health Careers College Fair in May 2006. This group has established the Dilley High School Health Careers Club which keeps an open membership. During one of the initial club meetings, new members expressed interest in learning about the job responsibilities, experiences and educational preparation of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). It was then that club sponsor, Ms. Deborah Thompson and High School Liaison, Mabel Aguilar approached a current UTHSCSA Emergency Health Science student, Lisa Kelley for help. Ms. Kelley was instantly enthused about going to visit with the Dilley High School students. Ms. Kelley invited EHS assistant professor, Steven Mormino to join her.
On Monday, January 16th, 2006, the DHS Health Careers Club members enjoyed an informative and fun presentation by Professor Mormino and Ms. Kelley. Professor Mormino first presented a picture–filled slide show that depicted the different aspects of the job of an EMT as well as the various settings in which an EMT may work. Following the slide show, professor Mormino shared several of his own unforgettable experiences throughout his extensive career as an EMT. Later, Ms. Kelley shared her story of how she became interested in this career. She also talked about her educational journey as a non-traditional student. Ms. Kelley reinforced the importance of pursuing a college education. The guest speakers turned their presentation into an even more insightful experience as they demonstrated and allowed for hands-on trials of two widely used techniques in the EMT world. The students took turns using the electrocardiogram or EKG machine (heart monitor) while learning about cardiac waves of contraction and relaxation. They also alternated learning about intubation with an endotracheal tube and a laryngoscope. These tools are used to intubate patients who stop breathing independently to allow an emergency medical respondent to enable air to go through a patient’s airway and into the lungs.
The Dilley High School Health Careers Club continues to have open membership and looks forward to continuing to enrich themselves and their community with education about health careers and health issues as interesting as that of Emergency Medical Science/Technology.
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CSTP and AHEC Office News
Tina T. Fields, PhD, MPH, and Paula Winkler, M.Ed.
 Cathy Cox, Administrative Assistant II at the South Central AHEC, has been recognized by the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio for ten years of service to the University and the South Texas AHEC with a service pin and a certificate signed by Dr. Francisco Cigarroa, President of the University. Her career at UTHSCSA has been focused on the South Texas AHEC and in service to the South Central AHEC. Cathy started in 1996 with the South Texas AHEC as the coordinator for the very successful National AHEC Organization meeting in August, 1997. Over 800 “AHECers” and friends of AHEC attended that meeting and Cathy was the lead coordinator for the entire event. Cathy was also recognized this year by the University Health System in the Volunteer Blood Donor Program. For her life giving donation, she received a pin and certificate as a “gallon donor.” Cathy is the first person that most people talk to or see when they contact the South Central AHEC office and all agree that she is a welcoming and friendly ambassador for AHEC. Congratulations Cathy, and thank you so much for your dedication and commitment to the South Central AHEC!
 Taking advantage of the relationship that South Central AHEC has established
with the Department of Health and Kinesiology at Texas A&M University, the Center for South Texas Programs has accepted its first health education intern. Ms. Aly Fox, a native of Port Aransas, Texas, began her practicum on January 23, under the supervision of Dr. Tina Fields, who also received her health education degrees from Texas A&M University.
Aly received an athletic and academic scholarship, awarded to the top male and female athletes with the highest grade point average, from Port Aransas High School. During her high school years, Aly played basketball for the Lady Marlins under Coach Randy Henderson. Upon graduation, she entered Texas A&M University in College Station, majoring in community health education.
The purpose of the eight-week community health internship program is to provide the student with an opportunity to function in a community health capacity. Although Aly has only been with the Center for South Texas Programs for one week, she has discovered that the academic and work worlds are miles apart, with the work arena affording little time to methodically approach one project at a time. So far, Aly has been involved in developing an oral health curriculum for promotores, has received her first lesson in grant writing, has been introduced to the “all hazards” approach to bioterrorism education, has been given the task of establishing a web site on health education, and has been involved in coordinating a national press conference for HRSA Administrator Elizabeth Duke. In addition, Aly had the opportunity to take the “down-and-back” one-day trip to Harlingen, site of the national press conference.
Hopefully, the fast pace found at the Center of South Texas Programs won’t scare her off, as all CSTP staff are truly enjoying the opportunity to work with Aly.
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South Coastal AHEC Attends Robstown Health Fair
Belinda Flores, RN
 South Coastal AHEC recently participated in the annual health fair in Robstown, Texas. The health fair was geared towards promoting disease prevention. AHEC sponsored a booth providing bone density testing and educational materials on the prevention of osteoporosis. The fair was well attended with over 50 women having a bone density test and a report to take back to their physicians. Information about the residency program was also provided to the participants who did not have a physician or the finances to see a physician.
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