Region One ESC hosts summit on connecting healthcare and education

EDINBURG, Texas – Workforce and education leaders are collaborating to align education and career pathways from K-12 education to the workforce.

They convened a summit April 16 at Region One Education Service Center in Edinburg.

The summit was part of Region One’s role as the Tri-Agency Regional Convener for Workforce Development Area 23-Lower Rio, which covers Starr, Hidalgo and Willacy counties. 

As Regional Convener, Region One works with partners in higher education and the workforce to align strategies with labor market demands across targeted industries, such as healthcare, education, government and information technology.

In order to address gaps in the workforce, leaders in education and industries must work together, explained Bobbie Sue Gonzalez, Region One’s director of college and career readiness-school models.

“After discussing healthcare industry needs with panelists, educators will take back advice on providing students with certification and learning opportunities that align with industry needs,” Gonzalez said. “They will also take back feedback on preparing students with the soft skills necessary to be successful in the workplace.”

Gonzalez said the panel discussion was instrumental to helping students access high-wage, in-demand jobs.

“Everybody involved in the Tri-Agency has the same goal in mind,” Gonzalez said. “The panel discussion was the first step in working with healthcare industry leaders to support student career pathways.”

During the summit, a panel of medical executives representing DHR Health, Driscoll Children’s Hospital, Rio Grande Regional Hospital and South Texas Health System discussed building tomorrow’s healthcare workforce. 

The panel was moderated by Ron Garza, associate vice president for workforce and economic development at UT-Rio Grande Valley. Panelists included DHR Health Chief Executive Officer Dr. Manish Singh, System Chief Nursing Officer at South Texas Health System Kennetha Foster, Rio Grande Regional Hospital Chief Executive Officer Laura Disque and Driscoll Children’s Hospital Director of Surgical Services, Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez.

Kennetha Foster is system chief nursing officer at STHS. Foster said skill and workforce needs can be addressed through strategic communication between education and health systems.

“There are skill gaps because of what students are being taught in school and what is actually needed in the healthcare industry,” Foster said. “These gaps can be closed through communication between entities. It does not always have to be a college degree; certificates also pay very well.”

Throughout the next few months, Region One will host additional summits to address workforce gaps in education, government and information technology.

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