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There’s no denying the important role higher education plays in building a strong healthcare workforce. From the physicians and registered nurses directly involved in a patient’s care to the respiratory therapists, radiologic technicians and dietitians who support their life-improving work, the next generation of healthcare workers must receive the education and skill-building training to effectively an efficiently meet the healthcare demands in the communities they serve.  

Today, the healthcare industry employs more than 16 million people, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), making it the largest employment sector in the United States.

Due to an aging population, increased incidence of chronic disease and the higher demand for mental health services, the nation’s evolving landscape has resulted in a greater demand for healthcare services, leading to an increased need for competent healthcare workers. In 2023, the sector added 650,000 jobs, per the BLS, a three-decade high for healthcare job growth.

South Texas Health System is committed to meet the ever-growing need for healthcare workers in the Rio Grande Valley by supporting local educational institutions and non-profit organizations with nursing and allied health programs, including the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen.

To help expand the healthcare system’s partnership with Texas A&M University beyond the residency programs through the South Texas Health GME Consortium and help the McAllen campus in its mission of making college accessible for every student in the Rio Grande Valley, STHS recently donated $10,000 to the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen.

“South Texas Health System recognizes the growing demand for healthcare services across the four-county region, which requires a competent workforce with the knowledge, skills and abilities to provide patient-centered care,” says Emma Montes-Ewing, Chief Executive Officer, STHS McAllen. “The Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen is providing students – including the residents enrolled in the STHS GME Consortium’s family and internal medicine residency programs – with invaluable, specialized education and skills that will help further elevate the healthcare industry in the Rio Grande Valley and across Texas. With the launch of the local campus’ new nursing program in spring 2026, the future certainly looks bright for the region, and we’re thrilled to be collaborating with them to help develop a strong workforce to provide quality, compassionate care to patients in the communities we serve.”

In addition to helping relieve the financial burden that many students face when pursuing a higher education through scholarships, the donation will be used to support the campus’ efforts to initiate new nursing and allied health programs and projects.

“We are incredibly grateful to South Texas Health System for their generous donation and commitment to strengthening our community’s healthcare workforce,” said Manny Vela, associate vice president and chief operating officer at Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen. “We have many Aggies determined to enter the medical industry and this contribution will undoubtedly save them some financial strain as they work toward fulfilling their educational goals.”

As the largest integrated network of care in the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas Health System employs 3,500 employees across 12 facilities in the region, all committed to providing quality, compassionate care.