Pre-Health Student Association assists with local physicals
As commencement approaches, Thanh Le, president of the University of Houston-Victoria’s Pre-Health Student Association, is still looking to make an impact on health care in her community.
On May 3, Le and a group of six other students volunteered at the DeTar Family Medicine Center, in partnership with Texas A&M DeTar Family Medicine physicians, to provide sports physicals for Victoria Independent School District student-athletes in the area.
Over the course of three hours, the group processed 370 students, conducting critical health screens which included taking blood pressure, height and weight measurements and conducting vision screenings, Le said. Prior to the event, the UHV student volunteers received comprehensive training from physicians at DeTar.
“We’re not just collecting vitals,” Le said. “We’re gaining practical health care experience and supporting our community.”
A graduate student in biomedical sciences, Le is set to walk the stage to receive her master’s degree this May. As the student organization’s president for the past year, Le organized medical workshops, health events and trips to conferences at medical schools so students could get firsthand knowledge of the health care industry.
“It was pretty busy that day, but it was fun getting to talk to the physicians in our downtime,” Le said. “But the best part was getting to practice some of our health care skills.”
The Pre-Health Student Association is a student-led organization with the goal of supporting and inspiring future health care professions, Le said. The group is comprised of students interested in various medical fields such as medicine, nursing, physical therapy, physician assistance and dentistry. Through hands-on workshops like CPR training, suturing practice and “Stop the Bleed” sessions, members have the opportunity to gain practical skills. The association also facilitates networking by inviting guest speakers from graduate schools and hospitals and also organizes community service events, Le said.
Growing up in Victoria, Le said she initially approached her academic path with uncertainty. While in college, biology courses became her first step toward understanding her potential. During that time, she pursued research opportunities and volunteer work to begin to shape her future plans. After volunteering with a hospice center, Le said she knew what she wanted to do. After she walks the stage on Saturday, she is planning to take the MCAT this summer with the goal of attending medical school and going into primary care in the future, she said.
“The event allowed students to explore their potential careers while giving back to the community,” said Humberto Hernandez, UHV assistant professor of biology. “It’s more than just measurements; it’s about inspiring future health care professionals and creating meaningful connections.”
Hernandez, who also serves as the organization’s advisor, said this will mark the third consecutive year of collaboration between the Pre-Health Student Association and DeTar Family Medicine Center to provide students with hands-on medical experience.
“They all have something in common: they all want to be health professionals, and being a part of the Pre-Health Student Association allows the students to interact with other students who might be further along in the process,” Hernandez said. “Or it can even serve as a mentoring group.”
For students who are interested in joining the organization, please contact Hernandez at hernandezh7@uhv.edu or (361) 570-4276.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.