BROWNSVILLE, Texas — 51ÁÔĆć opened the door to a new career path for Eleazar Hernandez, a Respiratory Care Science student with a strong academic background.

Before enrolling at TSC, the Brownsville native worked as a high school STEM teacher and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in ocean, coastal and earth sciences.

“I just felt the career wasn’t calling to me,” Hernandez said. “After a while, I decided to look into healthcare. Being from the Valley, I started exploring two-year degree programs.”

Hernandez found the passion he had been searching for after interviewing with TSC Respiratory Care Science Program Director Isidro Ramirez III and Clinical Education Program Director Alberto Vasquez during the application process.

“Being an educator myself, you can really tell who is here for the love of the job,” Hernandez said. “Knowing they weren’t just program directors but also instructors, the way they spoke about the program and their vision for its future, confirmed my decision to become an RT and a student here.”

The program’s engaged instruction, combined with Hernandez’s academic foundation, helped him excel in his first year.

In April, Hernandez presented scholarly research on airway diseases at the Texas Society for Respiratory Care South Region South Padre Island Symposium. More than 20 entries were submitted, but only a select group of students from South Texas community colleges were chosen to present.

“I’m extremely proud of my hard work,” Hernandez said. “It wasn’t just me. The faculty in the program guided my success. They have pushed me to step forward and put myself out there in a world that is new to me.”

Hernandez placed second.

“It was awesome to place,” Hernandez said. “Just being able to present and see my work out there was more than enough. It was great to see other college students and professionals come together.”

Ramirez said Hernandez has already demonstrated leadership and is expected to make an impact in the field.

“We see him as a leader in this program,” Ramirez said. “That’s what we want to produce in the Respiratory Care Science program — individuals who will go out and care for our

community and our families. I see Eli as a contributing member of society. We’re proud of him.”

Vasquez said Hernandez is an asset to both his classmates and faculty, bringing valuable perspective from his time as an educator.

“I talk to him often about his experience teaching in high school,” Vasquez said. “I learn from him just as much as he learns from me from a teacher’s perspective. It’s awesome to have that kind of relationship with a student, especially a first-year student. I see a very bright future for this young man.”

Hernandez plans to graduate next year and become a registered respiratory therapist. Long term, he hopes to advance within the field.

“Physician assistant, perfusionist or anesthesiology assistant are pathways we can pursue as RTs — it’s a foundation to move up,” he said. “Even if I don’t, I can see myself becoming a director in the respiratory therapy field.”

Hernandez said he is grateful to have found a career he is passionate about and credits TSC faculty for their support.

“They make sure to check on their students, that we’re grasping the material and ready to move forward in our careers,” he said. “TSC has done a great job building this program and hiring dedicated instructors.”

51ÁÔĆć celebrated its Nursing Pinning Ceremonies on December 11 in the SET-B Lecture Hall. The day honored the achievements of TSC’s graduating nurses, beginning with the ADN Pinning Ceremony at 4 p.m., followed by the LVN Pinning Ceremony at 6 p.m. Surrounded by faculty, family, and friends, students marked this significant milestone as they prepare to enter the healthcare profession.

Congratulations to all of our students who achieved this significant milestone, your dedication and perseverance make our community Scorpion Strong.

All seven students have secured employment before graduation, maintaining TSC’s proud tradition of 100% Passing Rate and 100% job placement for DMS graduates.

• Guadalupe Lopez – Hired at Valley Baptist Medical Center Harlingen 
• Deyra Vaquera – Hired at Valley Regional Medical Center
• Laura Zubieta – Hired at Valley Regional Medical Center
• Sara Olivarez – Hired at Knapp Medical Center and RGV Vascular and Vein Institute
• Ashley Contreras – Hired at Harlingen Medical Center
• Jose Velasco Jr. – Hired as a Cardiac Sonographer at Valley Regional Medical Center
• Devin Guajardo – Hired at Valley Baptist Medical Center Brownsville

Students in the new Phlebotomy Apprenticeship Program gathered together for an introductory meet and greet session. The program aims to provide robust hands-on training for phlebotomy students, providing them with opportunities for future certification and career advancement.

An eager group of students taking part in a new Phlebotomy Apprenticeship Program came together for their inaugural meeting on Monday, April 14, 2024, at the Valley AIDS Council Westbrook Clinic in Harlingen.

This first cohort, made up of five participants, was introduced to their instructor, Dr. Consuelo A. Villalon, during an orientation and informational session. Dr. Villalon provided an overview of the year-long program, explaining how it blends classroom learning with hands-on practice. She walked the group through the course structure, emphasizing the importance of mastering both technical skills and real-world applications.

The program was created through a collaboration involving 51ÁÔĆć, the Valley AIDS Council, Workforce Solutions Cameron, and the Texas Apprenticeship Expansion Grant. This joint effort aims to deliver a high-quality training pathway for individuals pursuing careers in phlebotomy.

“This partnership demonstrates what happens when education, healthcare, workforce development, and state resources come together with a shared vision,” said Luis C. Mascorro, Director of TSC Workforce Training and Continuing Education (WTCE) Apprenticeships. “The Valley AIDS Council had the foresight to invest in its employees’ growth, Workforce Solutions Cameron provided key support, and the Texas Apprenticeship Expansion Grant gave us the means to launch a program that will have a lasting impact. Together, we’re not just filling jobs – we’re building careers and strengthening the region’s healthcare infrastructure.”

Structured as a one-year registered apprenticeship, the program offers participants, many of whom already work in the healthcare field, the chance to advance their skills, earn certification, and lay the groundwork for long-term professional development. Ideally, it can serve as both a training opportunity and a stepping stone toward economic growth and career progression for the local workforce.

“Together with TSC, we are investing in our local workforce and our community,” said Wally Cantu, Executive Director of the Valley AIDS Council. “This important phlebotomy apprenticeship offers our HIV testing staff real-life, hands-on skills-development and builds their confidence to be able deliver high-quality, compassionate care to the people they test. We know that by enabling earlier HIV detection, we reduce long-term treatment costs, prevent further transmission and improve life expectancy and quality of life.”

In a professional healthcare environment, where precision and patient rapport are vital, trained phlebotomists play a crucial role. Often serving as a patient’s first point of contact, phlebotomists must be both meticulous and empathetic, adhering strictly to safety standards. Their expertise ensures reliable test results and contributes to a more reassuring experience for patients.

This inaugural group is enthusiastic about setting the stage for those who will follow. There’s strong optimism that, as more healthcare providers see the benefits of apprenticeship training, the program will continue to expand and thrive.