STC Expanding Health Care Programs To Meet Industry Needs

By Amanda Sotelo

South Texas College is taking the bold step in strengthening the region’s health care workforce by introducing two new high-demand programs – Dental Hygiene and Surgical Technology and by rebranding its division name.

These moves are in response to industry demand. By 2026, STC will increase its health care programming from 13 to 15, making it one of the few community colleges to offer every health care program available.

Overseeing the day-to-day of STC’s Nursing and Allied Health division, soon to be Health Science Professions, Interim Dean Margo Vargas-Ayala, DNP, said these changes were made to reflect a more comprehensive offering of health care programs.

“After considering feedback from our division’s faculty, staff, students, and partners, it was unanimously decided that our division needed a new name, something to encapsulate the full spectrum of health care programs we offer,” she said. “With this new name, we hope the community gets a better understanding of what we offer and how we are meeting the health care demands of the RGV.”

The division’s new name will be effective as of fall 2025. Although the campus will reflect the division name change, it will not remove its dedication to Dr. Ramiro R. Casso, a native Texan who committed his life to health care and humanitarian efforts in the Valley.

STC currently offers 13 health care programs, such as Vocational Nursing, Registered Nursing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Therapy, Physical Therapist Assistant, Pharmacy Technology, Emergency Medical Services, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Medical Assistant Technology, and Health and Medical Administrative Services.

Anahid Petrosian, Ph.D., STC vice president and provost of Academic Affairs and Economic Development, calls this an exciting time for STC’s health care programs. In addition to being a top provider of nursing graduates and boasting nearly 100% licensing exam pass rates among numerous health care programs, there is still more room for growth and success, she said.

“STC’s program quality is reflected in the high passing rates of programs such as Physical Therapist Assistant, Vocational Nursing and Associate Degree in Nursing,” said Petrosian. “We are proud of our dedicated faculty and staff who provide the resources and mentorship that our students need to succeed and join the health care professions.”

STC’s Regional Health Care Liaison Jason Valerio, DNP, said these new additions were made possible by a $1 million grant secured from the U.S. Department of Labor to expand health care offerings.

“There are shortages in our health care system, that is widely known, and what STC sets out to do is listen. We listen to our health care partners, their needs and demands and we deliver,” he said. “We’re excited to introduce Dental Hygiene and Surgical Technology in the coming years. We expect them to be very successful and to give our region a new outlook on health care professions. This is a win-win for STC, our students, and our region.”

Dental Hygiene will be a two-year, associate degree program and will encompass a brand-new, state-of-the-art dental lab, housed in the division’s newest building, on the Dr. Ramiro R. Casso campus, recently purchased from Texas A&M University, on McColl in McAllen.

The Texas Department of State Health Services projects that in South Texas, the shortage of dental hygienists is set to increase through 2030 with a demand of 21% outpacing a supply of 18.4%.

Each year, according to Valerio, the Dental Hygiene program will accept 10-20 students, who will learn theory and skills through hands-on training and clinical rotations at local dentist offices.

In spring 2027, STC will also introduce a certificate in Surgical Technology. Surgical Technology will prepare students to become highly-qualified technicians, assisting surgeons, anesthesiologists, and operating room nurses with surgery preparation, equipment and operating room sterilization, patient positioning, and monitoring of vital signs.

The students who are accepted into this program will receive hands-on training, completing much of their curriculum at a local hospital. Those who earn a certificate in the program can begin their careers in hospitals and outpatient surgery centers.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that with the rise of outpatient surgery centers the demand for surgical technicians will increase over the next decade, with an estimated 8,700 openings.

STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., said the growth of the college’s Health Science Professions is a testament to the college

“The addition of Dental Hygiene and Surgical Technology programs marks a significant milestone for South Texas College as we continue to expand opportunities in high-demand health care fields,” said Solis. “Going from Nursing and Allied Health to Health Science Professions reflects our commitment to innovation, growth and the ever-evolving needs of the health care industry. We provide and will continue providing our students with the skills and training necessary to make a real impact in our communities.”