STC, Starr County hospital provide teens with healthcare internships
Rio Grande City High School, South Texas College Dual Enrollment Medical Science Academy (DEMSA) students spent their summer at Starr County Memorial Hospital preparing for a future career in healthcare.
Yasleen Garcia has spent the summer before her senior year preparing for a future career in healthcare at Starr County Memorial Hospital. A head start in her journey, she said, toward becoming a Radiologist.
The Rio Grande City High School student is part of the South Texas College Dual Enrollment Medical Science Academy (DEMSA) and joined nine of her other peers for this unique internship experience.
DEMSA is a two-year, year-round dual enrollment program at STC developed for high school juniors and seniors across Hidalgo and Starr Counties who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare and aims to increase the number of rural students committed to careers in areas such as medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, among many others.
“I have had the opportunity to experience nearly every department in the hospital, exposing me to multiple professions in healthcare,” said the 17-year-old. “Radiology, specifically, caught my attention. The way we can help diagnose and heal others is intriguing, and this experience has solidified my decision in Radiology.”
Like Garcia, many of her peers are discovering their passion within healthcare because of this internship, and for some, having this type of opportunity close to home is a gamechanger.
Throughout the internship, students have had the chance to explore every department at the hospital such as wound care, emergency, surgery, obstetrics, nutrition, laboratory cardiopulmonary and radiology.
Seventeen-year-old Roma High School student Angel Rios said, being a student in DEMSA and taking advantage of this internship opportunity has been the best decision he could have made.
Before even graduating from high school, Rios will receive an associate degree in biology.
“Many tried to tell me that I was ruining my high school career by taking on this challenge as a teen, but it is not,” he said. “It is helping my family save thousands of dollars, giving me vision and preparing me for my future, all while staying close to my family. Paying for college will be hard for us, so I’m glad I get to do this now, for free.”
He added, that being at Starr County Memorial has been encouraging as he aspires to be a medical doctor.
“Everyone tells me, ‘Echale ganas mijo. Keep going, don’t give up. You can do it.,’ and that’s motivating,” he said. “My goal is to help people, and by exploring the different areas of this hospital has been eye-opening and helpful in determining the type of doctor I want to be when I grow up.”
I have had the opportunity to experience nearly every department in the hospital, exposing me to multiple professions in healthcare. Radiology, specifically, caught my attention. The way we can help diagnose and heal others is intriguing, and this experience has solidified my decision in Radiology.
Dual Enrollment Academy Programs Director Leo Castaneda said the partnership with Starr County Memorial Hospital is leading the way in preparing future healthcare professionals.
“DEMSA program students had the opportunity this summer to participate in a summer experiential opportunity that provided a learning environment where they could learn first-hand about the various medical professionals in healthcare,” he said. “Through shadowing doctors, nurses, other healthcare professionals and interacting with patients, this was a great opportunity for them. We are so appreciative of our partnership with Starr County Memorial Hospital. Together, we are preparing future generations of healthcare professionals in our region.”
Martha Saldivar, Starr County Memorial Hospital director of Nursing and registered nurse, said she’s been working with STC DEMSA students for several years and every time she is impressed with their knowledge, skills and motivation to learn, especially as high school students.
“Back in my day when I was in high school, I was a hospital volunteer known as a candy striper, so I understand how effective and how important early exposure to the healthcare field can be when you think this is going to be your career,” Saldivar said. “That is why, STC offering this academy and giving our students this opportunity at our hospital is so vital. I don’t take this responsibility lightly. I want them to see and learn everything they need to make informed decisions about their futures.”
Saldivar ensures every student becomes interactive with hospital staff and patients allowing them to take vitals, listen to breathing and heartbeats and pass out food trays for meal intake.
“To me, the more interactive, the better. That’s how we learn,” she said. “These students have great energy and are really understanding the roles in our hospital and how we all work together for our community. We’ve hired STC students in the past and they do an excellent job. I’m sure someday, we’ll be working with some of these students too.”
As for Garcia and Rios, they are grateful to STC and the hospital for this lifechanging opportunity.
“I’m really thankful for this opportunity. It’s once in a lifetime,” said Garcia. “The hospital has opened their doors to us and I’m so grateful.”
Rios added, “This is an opportunity everyone interested in healthcare should take advantage of. For me, this summer, this program, has been completely worth it. I’m excited for my future.”