2010 MIRA participants Myriam Martinez and Nichole Daves attempt a respiratory care procedure while Adelso Contreras looks on.
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Contact: Rosanne Fohn, 210-567-3079

LAREDO (June 24, 2011) — Laredo-area college students interested in a possible career in the health professions have until Friday, July 1, to apply for a special career exploration program offered by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Make It Real Academy (MIRA), will be held Aug. 10-19 at the university’s Regional Campus in Laredo, 1937 E. Bustamante Street.

Besides becoming a doctor or nurse, there are many other health-related careers that are in high demand, such as becoming a physician assistant, physical therapist, respiratory therapist, occupational therapist or clinical laboratory scientist.

The 20 students selected for the MIRA program will receive an in-depth look at these professions through hands-on activities, field trips, behind-the-scenes activities and interviews with local health professionals to learn why they decided to pursue higher education and how they paid for it.

Related link: MIRA video

Student-produced videos
In addition to producing short videos about the different health professions, students will complete a self-assessment of their abilities and interests. They will also learn about the value and impact of pursuing higher education and a career that not only helps people, but pays well and is in high demand.

“Allied health professionals are in high demand in South Texas,” said Araceli Duran, program director at the Regional Campus. “We are pleased to offer this special camp for highly motivated college students who are interested in having a positive impact on their communities.”

Third-year physician assistant student Myra Garza demonstrates how to examine a patient with 2010 MIRA participant Myriam Martinez. Martinez will be entering the physician assistant program in the fall at the Regional Campus in Laredo.

Those selected for the program will receive a $200 participation stipend and will qualify to apply for tuition assistance scholarships for any degree program offered by the Health Science Center’s School of Health Professions.

Applicants must have earned at least 30 hours of college credit by fall 2010 and live in Webb or surrounding counties.

For complete information about the application process and requirements, please contact Duran at (956) 523-7411 or durane@uthscsa.edu; or Griselda Rubio at (956) 523-7437 or rubiog@uthscsa.edu.

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The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, one of the country’s leading health sciences universities, ranks in the top 3 percent of all institutions worldwide receiving federal funding. Research and other sponsored program activity totaled $228 million in fiscal year 2010. The university’s schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions and graduate biomedical sciences have produced approximately 26,000 graduates. The $744 million operating budget supports eight campuses in San Antonio, Laredo, Harlingen and Edinburg. For more information on the many ways “We make lives better®,” visit www.uthscsa.edu.