Engaging Young Minds to Spark a Bright Future in Health Care

 EL PASO, Texas — Who knew dissecting a pickle could be so much fun?

And educational, too.

Texas Tech Health El Paso did.

The 14th annual Medventure for Your Future, an exploration of all things health science related for middle schoolers, took place last Saturday, Jan. 25, on the Texas Tech Health El Paso campus. Designed to inspire middle school students from our U.S.-Mexico Borderplex region, the day-long event provided a unique, hands-on introduction to careers in health care and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

Texas Tech Health El Paso also celebrated the contributions of two Medventure sponsors who supported the program. Their combined generosity has contributed to the event’s success over the past decade, growing health care heroes of the future.

At the event, FirstLight Federal Credit Union (FLFCU) pledged $75,000 for student scholarships and Medventure, while the Electric Company Charitable Foundation (ECCF) awarded $50,000 to support scholarships and pathway programs.

“Looking at all of the students here today, I can’t help but think our future is bright,” said Marjorie Salazar, FirstLight’s CEO. “Our mission is to improve the financial well-being of our community. Events like this, where we can set our children onto rewarding paths in health care in service to the community, is a win for everyone. We’re thrilled to renew our commitment to scholarships and pathway programs.”

Kelly Tomblin, the CEO of El Paso Electric, echoed Salazar’s sentiments, adding that students need not only pathways but also to understand the importance of powering through obstacles.

“Achieving your goals is just about not putting barriers in your head,” said Tomblin. “It’s about expanding your mind and what you believe is possible. Events like this help young people do just this — they can see themselves in careers they never thought possible.”

“The Electric Company Charitable Foundation is proud to support initiatives that empower our youth and open doors to careers in health care and STEM,” said Robert Almanzán, ECCF President. “Medventure for Your Future not only introduces students to exciting career possibilities but also nurtures their curiosity and ambition, shaping the next generation of innovators and health care professionals.”

Destination El Paso, Southwest University, JAMP (Texas Joint Admission Medical Program), El Paso Children’s Hospital, Aliviane Inc., and Ricardo Reyna, M.D., provided additional support for the event, further emphasizing the community’s unified effort to improve health care access in our region.

Addressing the health care provider shortage

Medventure for Your Future engages 1,000 middle school students and their parents from across our Borderplex region each year. The full-day event offered 40 informative workshops and 15 exhibitors who provided valuable insights into various fields.

The program immerses attendees in fun hands-on science experiences, such as the pickle dissection activity that introduces students to anatomy and forensics concepts. Medventure also features presentations on research and potential career paths in health care and STEM. The events cover health career options in nursing, medicine, dentistry, and biomedical research, ensuring a broad spectrum of subjects for exploration.

Students participated in guided tours of clinical simulation labs, where they gained practical experience through hands-on activities with advanced medical manikins and virtual reality health care simulations.

Dr. Reyna, who helped establish Medventure 14 years ago, knew that solving El Paso’s critical provider shortage meant reaching out to students much earlier.

“I didn’t know I wanted to become a doctor until my junior year in college,” said Dr. Reyna. “Medventure started as a way to inspire students to consider careers in health care fields before they reached college.”

“Now, Medventure students who have completed the program come to me and tell me they are nurses or doctors. It’s always rewarding to witness others achieving success in the medical field.”

The impact of Medventure is significant: Over 95% of students who attend report that the conference enhances their interest in pursuing careers in health or science, leading them to enroll in STEM courses. Importantly, all workshops and presentations are offered at no cost to students, made possible by the support of dedicated sponsors and community volunteers.

“Medventure demonstrates the power of community collaboration to inspire and prepare the next generation of health care providers,” said assistant director of Outreach Programs Rene Andre, the event’s organizer. “The enthusiasm of the students and their families is a testament to the importance of creating opportunities for hands-on learning and mentorship.”

Medventure’s hidden powers

Among the attendees were Zoey Herman and Amy Sanchez. Both attend Jose J. Alderete Middle School in Canutillo where they are members of their school’s Medical Academy. This unique academic program requires them to take rigorous mathematics and science courses to prepare for careers in health care.

Eighth-grader Zoey’s introduction to Medventure began last year when her teacher encouraged her to attend. Initially hesitant, Zoey described the event as transformative.

“I wasn’t sure about going, but it turned out to be the best day ever. I learned a lot and had an amazing time,” she shared. “This year, they rearranged the events, so everyone like me who attended last year got to experience something new.”

Next year, Zoey will continue her health care journey by enrolling at Silva Magnet High School across the street from Texas Tech Health El Paso. There, she will take college courses leading to an associate degree, which she will earn in addition to her high school diploma upon graduation in 2029. She is planning on a career as a first responder.

Seventh-grader Amy wasn’t sure what her career path would be. Unlike Zoey, she hadn’t given much thought to high school.

That is until she attended Medventure’s crime scene investigation workshop.

By the end of the day, Amy, too, was considering attending Silva with Zoey and exploring her own career in forensics.

Amy fully grasped that her future in health care depended on her actions now, while still in middle school.

“I totally get that I need to work harder on my grades,” said the future first-generation college student.

“But I’m sure I can make it happen!”

About Texas Tech Health El Paso

Texas Tech Health El Paso is the only health sciences center on the U.S.-Mexico border and serves 108 counties in West Texas that have been historically underserved. It’s a designated Title V Hispanic-Serving Institution, preparing the next generation of health care heroes, 48% of whom identify as Hispanic and are often first-generation students.

Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a proudly diverse and uniquely innovative destination for education and research.

With a mission of eliminating health care barriers and creating life-changing educational opportunities for Borderplex residents, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,400 doctors, nurses and researchers over the past decade, and will add dentists to its alumni beginning in 2025. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.