News and Events
May 29, 2023
Dietetics graduate students Karla Zurita and Jackie Reyes provided nutrition education at the Texas Onion Fest in Weslaco, March 25, 2023. Participants enjoyed the spin the wheel nutrition trivia game. Great job!
Learn more about our Master of Science in Dietetics Program from our Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences.
RedRover Readers RGV fosters social-emotional well-being for children
February 7, 2023 - RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – Buddy, a mixed-breed dog, was left to starve in the rain and snow, spending most of his young life chained to a tree in the backyard of neglectful owners. He had no shelter, and neighborhood kids would throw rocks at him. He spent his days in pain, often using his own chains as a bed.
But one day, a stranger found Buddy, unchained him and took him to a local shelter where he was fed, kept warm and healed. He’s now a happy dog, living with a new family who gives him plenty of food and plenty of treats.
“Buddy Unchained” is just one example of the countless books used by the RedRover Readers RGV group to teach children empathy and the importance of social awareness. They use stories centered on animals to help reach children and create a sense of compassion for animals.
The RedRover Readers RGV group, a collaboration between the UTRGV School of Social Work and the UTRGV College of Health Professions under UT Health RGV, explores the impact of social-emotional learning, using UTRGV students and volunteers to read to students in schools, libraries and other family settings, all as part of the program.
Congratulations to Venessa Cobarrubias!
One of our PA alumnus has been selected for the 2022-2023 Class of White House Fellows.
Vanessa Cobarrubias is from Harlingen, Texas, and is placed at the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of the First Lady focusing on the Cancer Moonshot Initiative. After receiving a Bachelor of Communication Arts from St. Mary’s University and prior to transitioning into healthcare, Vanessa was an accomplished educator and speech language pathology assistant. Since obtaining a Master of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley, she has worked tirelessly to serve the Rio Grande community (an area in which COVID-related deaths were twice that of the rest of the state of Texas) throughout the pandemic. In addition to overseeing antibody infusions for over 10,000 patients, she founded and worked diligently on a door-to-door vaccine awareness program serving the region’s indigent population. A community-recognized “Texas Healthcare Hero,” this daughter of educators and granddaughter of immigrant farmworkers is driven to empower those who cannot speak for themselves.
Read the full article here: White House Appoints 2022-2023 Class of White House Fellows
Congratulations Martha Patricia Rodriguez
The Latest in HIV Prevention – NCCPA PA Ambassador Talks PrEP Injectable Treatment
Martha Patricia Rodriguez, PA-C did not plan to specialize in HIV. As a new mom, she was desperate to find a job with a family friendly schedule. She searched for PA jobs that would provide the flexibility she needed, and a position in HIV care turned up from a simple online job search. Today, Rodriguez practices in the only HIV clinic in Rio Grande Valley, Texas; and in July 2022, she was part of the health care team that administered the first HIV prevention injectable treatment at the clinic.