A one-week summer program designed for 11th and 12th-grade high school students.  It was created with the goal to prepare students for a smooth transition from high school to college.  The program provides twenty-five hours of training focusing on academic awareness, standardized test preparation, interviewing skills, writing skills, and the college application process. 

This year, the AHEC College Academy was a five-day virtual camp that was offered Monday, July 5, 2021, to Friday, July 9, 2021.  An opportunity to earn 25 hours of community service was provided to each student.  The program focused on educating students about academic awareness, standardized test preparation, and the college application process.  New material on the importance of Mental Health was incorporated into this year’s camp.  The students learned of the different types of majors, degrees, and universities available.  They were provided with strategies to best approach the SAT examination.  Lastly, they learned about the risk factors and warning signs of mental health and how to help themselves or others by following the ALGEE action plan. 

A three-day science and mathematics camp designed for rising 6th through 8th-grade students in public or private schools. The Junior Academy encourages students to consider higher education and careers in the health sciences.  Instruction with fun hands-on activities focus on the integration of math and science in their daily life.  Educational activities include, but are not limited to, the study of the human body, general chemistry, and general physics.  These topics provide students with a foundational understanding of careers in STEM—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, while also recognizing the importance of these subjects for all areas of health care.

This year, the AHEC Junior Academy was a five-day virtual camp that was offered in two sessions:  Monday, June 14, 2021, to Friday, June 18, 2021, and Monday, June 21, 2021, to Friday, June 25, 2021.  An opportunity to earn 25 hours of community service was provided to each student.  Students learned the effects of what good decision-making has on their self-image.  They were taught about the immediate and long-term effects of nicotine, marijuana, and alcohol use.  Lastly, they learned the importance of assertiveness, communication, and decision-making skills and how to apply them in different situations.   

A three-day science and math camp designed for rising 5th and 6th grade students in public or private schools.  The AHEC Mini Academy provides an age-appropriate enhancement in science, mathematics, health science, vocabulary development and a systematic approach for students to think

about attending a university. Science and mathematics instruction enrich the content which students learn in school classrooms. Activities are hands-on to provide concrete experiences that students can transfer to everyday life.  Success in school and strengthen study skills are promoted by design. While health care careers are emphasized, the student may aspire to pursue any career of their choosing.

A unique opportunity for health and health-related discipline students to gain professional experience working an interprofessional team-based community or clinical care setting, while they are still in school. This program offers didactic and practical learning experiences that enhance a student's traditional curriculum by offering opportunities to: 

• Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of other health professions. 
• Work in team-based environments that foster inclusivity and focus on patient-centered care. 
• Broaden their scope of practice and learn strategies to become better practitioners. 
• Learn and understand the unique challenges that face underserved and rural populations when accessing care and achieving good health status.

This group is composed of students from various high schools within the city. The group's primary focus is to volunteer at AHEC community events, develop leadership skills and identify student-led projects to meet the needs of the community. The club meets once a month to discuss upcoming activities and to plan future projects. The group is led by six officers elected by the students. The group currently has 900 students who participate in club events and or volunteering activities. Most recently, students collected school supplies and gently used uniforms for underprivileged children. During the Christmas season, the group collects and delivers toys to children in the pediatric units at local hospitals.

This year AHEC Student Leadership Club will be hosting virtual meetings with an opportunity to earn up to 9 hours of community service.

A one-day conference held during the month of October one day prior to the Annual Domestic Violence Conference that focuses on the signs of violence within youth relationships.  The conference provides information regarding the different types of abuse that may occur in a relationship including verbal and physical. 

This year marks the 10th Annual Teens Against Domestic Violence Conference.  It will be a one-day virtual conference that will take place Thursday, October 28, 2021, from 5:30 pm–6:30 pm.  An opportunity to earn 5 hours of community service will be provided to each student that attends. 

Informal career counseling is offered to students requesting additional guidance and support in developing an educational plan. This occurs throughout the year.

A three-day enrichment program at the UT Health Regional Campus Laredo. The first two days 11th and 12th-grade high school students rotate through different activities, experiencing hands-on, one-on-one interaction with guest speakers and health care professionals. The third day is devoted to field trips to both Texas A&M International University and Laredo College to showcase the various health care careers.

An Intense Review of Admissions Tests for Health Professions. This program was initiated in 2010 through a partnership between the MRGB AHEC and Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) in Laredo, Texas. The goal of this course is to increase the pool of qualified applicants to enter health professional schools, and thus, improve the health professional workforce of the community. The PREP is designed for university students to review admissions tests for medical school, dental school, and to some degree for pharmacy school. The students are selected to participate in a 6-week course that requires 70 contact hours in a review of Biology, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, Physics, and verbal skills. The students are administered a pre and post review MCAT test.

A nationally recognized health career awareness and recruitment program, initiated in 2007. The goal is to expose students to professional career role models, learn about different health careers and develop leadership skills and a sense of personal social responsibility to serve their community. Students are recruited from schools in Webb and Dimmitt Counties. After receiving training on community health problems, the students volunteer in a community agency for a minimum of 50 hours of service. In addition, the students are encouraged to participate in volunteer community service projects, of their choice, that requires them to learn about health issues and other community concerns. The program is offered throughout the school year.