Texas Mutual Insurance Company has awarded a $55,000 grant to Texas Tech Health El Paso to support medical assistant students in completing their clinical training. The funds will help students finish their internships and enter the workforce, particularly in the Borderplex area, where there is a high demand for certified medical assistants.
Texas Tech Health El Paso, in collaboration with Workforce Solutions Borderplex and local training programs, has teamed up to provide paid clinical internships for students at the university. The programs involved are El Paso Community College, Southwest University, and Western Technical Institute.
Martha Garcia, who dreamed of becoming a medical professional despite limited resources, is one of the recipients of this grant. After moving to El Paso with her family, she was able to pursue her goal of becoming a certified medical assistant through El Paso Community College. The grant helped her complete her clinical training at Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso, easing her financial burden and allowing her to continue supporting her family.
“I’m truly grateful to Texas Mutual,” Garcia said. “They didn’t just fund a program, they opened a door that had long been closed for me.”
Many students must leave their jobs to complete the 40-hour-per-week clinical internships required for certification. Texas Mutual’s donation ensures that students can receive a living wage during their clinical training, relieving them of the financial strain and allowing them to focus on their education.
“By supporting these students, we’re not just funding clinical hours; we’re helping them build meaningful careers in healthcare,” said Jeremiah Bentley, Texas Mutual’s vice president of marketing & community affairs.
Texas Mutual has donated over $4.5 million to 66 nonprofits across Texas, strengthening local economies by supporting workforce training. The company’s efforts aim to create pathways to in-demand middle-skill jobs, particularly in industries with higher risks for workplace accidents.
“Medical assistants are the backbone of our healthcare system,” said Andrea Tawney, Ph.D., vice president for Institutional Advancement. “This grant is part of a solution to fill a crucial need.”
Texas Mutual Insurance Company, based in Austin, is the leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance in Texas. The company insures over 80,000 businesses and is committed to helping employers prevent workplace accidents.
Texas Tech Health El Paso serves 108 rural counties in West Texas and is a Hispanic-serving institution that prepares future healthcare professionals. It offers medical, nursing, biomedical sciences, and dental education to the next generation of healthcare workers.
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