Mission, Texas- What started out as a community service field trip for some high school students designed to showcase and practice their skills may have helped save two lives. Health Science students from Veterans Memorial High School participated in the recent Community Health Fair coordinated by the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce and Mission Regional Medical Center.
Seniors Lindsey Gonzalez and Adriana De La Garza were helping conduct blood pressure checks and glucose checks, along with the other Health Science students in the Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) booth when they had a couple approach who had just moved to the area from up north.
Gonzalez and De La Garza each noticed that their screenings looked out of place and immediately notified their instructor, Martha Medina. Medina felt their numbers were a serious concern and needed immediate attention. They then walked the couple over to speak with Dr. Hector Munoz from MRMC’s Monarch Health Clinic who was in a nearby booth. Arrangements were immediately made for important follow-up steps for the couple; including doctors’ appointments to address potentially life-threatening conditions.
“By taking the correct readings and follow-up actions, these students could have just saved the lives of these two individuals – who weren’t aware that their readings were that big of a deal since they were not feeling bad,” Medina said.
One of the students expressed relief that she and her classmate were in the right place at the right time. “I am just glad that they came in and got it checked out, and that they got referred to a doctor here locally,” said Gonzalez.
Dr. Munoz agreed with the students. “This is an example of why we at Mission Regional Medical Center and the Monarch Clinic partner with the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce for this annual community health fair,” Dr. Munoz added. “It is so gratifying to know that the services provided and our availability of resources at the event -- along with the good work of students and instructors from Mission CISD and other participants at the health fair -- is helping in the effort to build a healthier community.”
“This is a perfect example of what can happen when we bring together the resources and the caring people of our community,” said Brenda Enriquez, president, Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce. “It is all about finding ways not just to promote our business community, but to help make our community a stronger and healthier place to live and grow.”
“It is pretty nice that we are helping someone,” said De La Garza.
Medina agrees with De La Garza. “Just to see them excited about helping others is gratifying,” she said. “This is what I live for. This is why we teach. This is why we are in the classroom. I feel like I just got my Christmas.”
As for De La Garza and Gonzalez; they both plan to complete their Pharmacy Technician certifications and begin working in that field after they graduate in the spring. Then they each plan to continue their educations and pursue different aspects of the medical field.
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Pictured, left to right, are: Adriane De La Garza and Lindsey Gonzalez.