AHEC directors, staff members and community partners received a check for $100,000 from the D.D. Hachar Charitable Trust.
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The Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center (AHEC), held a community awards program and accepted a check for $100,000 from the D.D. Hachar Charitable Trust during an appreciation luncheon April 7 at the Laredo Campus Extension of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

The Mid Rio Grande Border AHEC is part of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio’s Center for South Texas Programs. The AHEC provides health career activities for prospective students, community-based clinical training for Health Science Center students, continuing education for area health professionals and health literacy programs for residents in its six-county region including Dimmitt, Duval, La Salle, Jim Hogg, Webb and Zapata counties.

Gift will encourage students to consider a career in health care
James E. Moore, president and CEO of BBVA Compass Bank in Laredo, representing the D.D. Hachar Charitable Trust, presented a $100,000 check to AHEC Director Gladys C. Keene, M.D., M.P.H. Sixty thousand dollars is to be dedicated to the Youth Health Learning Service Program and $40,000 to motivational seminars and a mentoring program.

“We are very grateful to the trustees of the D.D. Hachar Charitable Trust for their gift, which will be used to help develop an interest in the health professions among youth and college students in our region,” Dr. Keene said. “The grant supports our Youth Health Learning Service Program, which prepares ninth and 10th grade students to become active community volunteers. Through their service, they will become eligible for recognition and scholarships.”

The motivational seminars and mentoring program for college students provides opportunities for undergraduates to explore the health professions through hands-on activities, shadowing and volunteer service in fields of interest. They also receive help in preparing to apply for admittance to health professions institutions, such as the UT Health Science Center.

Four receive awards for their support of the Mid Rio Grande Border AHEC
During the luncheon, four awards were presented to honor community members who have made significant and outstanding contributions to the Mid Rio Grande Border AHEC.

U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar was presented the Trailblazer in Health Education Award for his tireless effort and longtime leadership in improving health care resources. He also was honored for expanding the health professions education programs in the region. Dr. Cuellar, who has a Ph.D. in government and a law degree, is a native of Laredo. During his 14 years as a state representative before election to congress he was instrumental in establishing the South Texas Border Health Professional Education Initiative, which provided major funding for the AHEC. He served on the Higher Education Committee and co-authored the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, opening the door to health care for thousands of previously uninsured children in the state. He has continued his interest in education and health care in congress. Two schools in Laredo bear his name. His award was presented by Dr. Ray M. Keck III, president of Texas A&M International University.

Three Leader in Health Education Awards presented:

• Dennis E. Nixon, president and CEO of International Bank of Commerce in Laredo and chair of International Bancshare Corporation, was honored as a charter member of the Mid Rio Grande Border AHEC. He has served on the board since 1993. “He is a huge supporter of education and of our educational initiatives,” Dr. Keene said. In addition to his innovation and growth of IBC, Nixon was recognized for his generosity and public service including the United Way and many other civic involvements and awards for service. Seventy percent of IBC employees are active volunteers, according to the IBC Web site. The award was presented by Gerald Schwebel.
  
  
• Alberto P. Cárdenas, vice chair of the AHEC board, was recognized as the Board Member of the Year for 2008. Cárdenas, who retired as director of counseling and assessment from Laredo Community College in 2001 after 31 years of service, has been a member of the AHEC board since 2000 and vice chairman since 2004.“He is a tremendous volunteer,” Dr. Keene said. “He is very active in all the health career programs, serving as a motivational speaker, counseling the students about pursing higher education and representing the board at many functions.” His award was presented by former Webb County Judge Mercurio Martinez Jr.
  
  
• Longtime AHEC staff member Julie Bazán was honored for her 15 years of service as manager of the AHEC office from 1993-2008. “She has been the face of AHEC to many of our community partners,” said Dr. Keene said who presented her award.

Pictured in the photo are (left to right) Gladys C. Keene, M.D., M.P.H., AHEC executive director; Eloy Zamarron, M.D.; Sunny Wong, M.D.; Mercurio Martinez Jr., former Webb County judge and chairman of the AHEC board; Patricia Keck, M.S.N., RN, director of health service at Laredo Independent School District and AHEC board member; Natalie C. Burkhalter, associate professor and interim dean of Texas A&M International University; Irene Rosales, director of school health programs at United Independent School District and AHEC board member; Diana Garcia, AHEC curriculum consultant; Celina I. Arambula, administrative assistant; Joaquin Romero, senior vice president of BBVA Compass Bank in Laredo; Betty Flores, former mayor of Laredo; Roxanna L. Casarez, senior secretary at the Center for South Texas Programs; Alberto P. Cardenas, AHEC board vice chairman; and Jim Moore, president and CEO of BBVA Compass Bank in Laredo.