Alumni of the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) of the Mid Rio Grande Border Area recently gathered in Laredo to celebrate their successes and commitment to higher education.

AHEC is a nonprofit outreach program under UT Health San Antonio with a mission to enhance the quality of life in border communities by increasing the number of well-trained health care workers, enhancing academic resources and fostering a healthy life style through community education programs. AHEC is part of the Center for South Texas Programs under the Office of the Vice President for Research.

AHEC alumni at the gathering included students enrolled at UT Health San Antonio, Texas A&M International University, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Case Western Reserve and others. Of the group, 70 percent are enrolled in a health care professional program.

“There is absolutely nothing more amazing than to witness the transformation of these young men and women who are on their path to success,” said Julie Bazan, executive director. AHEC is an extended family for many students, she added, and “they each know that AHEC will cheer, motivate, encourage and help them to open doors leading to their future”.

Navy Lt. Cmdr. (ret.) Douglas M. Alford, served as keynote speaker at the alumni gathering.  He presented a motivational talk and urged students to continue on their path of setting and reaching goals. “Regardless of what your goals are,” he said, “work with what God has given you and learn to look at the good aspects of your life.”

For additional information about AHEC and the menu of programs, visit http://www.mrgbahec.org/or call 956-712-0037.