WHAT IS MRGB AHEC?

The Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center (MRGB AHEC) was established in 1993 by a coalition of Laredo community leaders and the UT Health San Antonio to address the growing need for health care professionals and academic resources in the region. The Center is part of a network of five community-based AHEC Centers with the South Texas AHEC Program located at the UT Health San Antonio.

Since 1993, the MRGB AHEC has worked to improve the health education opportunities for the people of Laredo and the surrounding region.
The MRGB AHEC holds independent status as a 501(c )(3), which broadens funding opportunities and enhances its community-wide base.

Julie Bazán, MHA | Executive Director

Julie Bazan is the Executive Director for the Area Health Education Center of the Mid Rio Grande Border Region (Webb, Zapata, Jim Hogg, Duval, La Salle and Dimmit Counties), an outreach program under the UT Health San Antonio. As the Executive Director, she is responsible for providing leadership, direction and fiscal oversight to the existing programs which serve the Mid Rio Grande Border Region residents; developing new opportunities to support the educational resources for the practicing health care professionals and implementing programs to encourage students, of all grade levels, to pursue a higher education and possibly a career in health care. She has over 25 years of experience in non-profit administration as well as program development and design to meet the needs of medically-underserved communities in the South Texas region. She began her career with AHEC in 1993 and became Executive Director in 2010. She contributes to numerous community-based research projects at the local, state and national level on a variety of health issues impacting residents. She is an active member of the National AHEC Organization (NAO). In April 2018, she was nominated and approved to serve as a NAO board member and Treasurer. She currently serves as Chair of the Finance Committee and Vice-Chair of the Center Directors Constituency Group. Her commitment and passion for improving the lives of others has contributed to numerous successful projects in the region. She is an active member in the community serving on numerous boards and committees. She holds a Graduate Degree in Health Administration and her undergraduate studies are in social sciences. Julie is a graduate of the TAMIU Non-profit Leadership Management Certification Program and is now a candidate for a Doctoral of Management in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. She is a Licensed Community Health Worker and holds certifications in nonprofit leadership management, CPR, Community Emergency Response and Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Julie Bazán, MHA, LCHW | MRGB-AHEC Director

Contact Julie: 956.712.0037 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hazel Medellin is a valued Mid Rio Grande Border AHEC cog. Beginning her service career in 2011, her vital roles as the conference coordinator and accounting coordinator are equally important and contribute greatly to the success of the Mid Rio Grande Border AHEC programs in the region. She is responsible for various continuing education programs offered for health care providers, educators, law enforcement personnel and social service providers in Dimmit, Duval, LaSalle, Jim Hogg, Webb and Zapata counties. Hazel earned her Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Degree from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. She is a recent graduate of the non-profit business program offered by the Laredo Chamber of Commerce. She is a Licensed Community Health Worker and holds certifications in non-profit management, CPR, Community Emergency Response and Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Angie Hazel Medellin, BAA, LCHW | Conference Coordinator

Contact Hazel: 956.712.0037 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Virginia Morales is conference coordinator and administrative assistant to the Executive Director in the Mid Rio Grande Border AHEC. She has been a very valuable part of AHEC since 2012 and her phenomenal administrative skills in support of all the projects contribute significantly to all the projects serving residents in South Texas. Virginia's dedication, commitment and compassionate manner are characteristics that enable her to always go above and beyond her area with a smile. She graduated from Laredo College with an Associate Degree in Applied Sciences. Vicky is a recent graduate of the non-profit business program offered by the Laredo Chamber of Commerce. She is a Licensed Community Health Worker and holds certifications in non-profit management, CPR, Community Emergency Response, and Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Virgina "Vicky" Morales, AAS, LCHW | Executive Director

Contact Vicky: 956.712.0037 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Our Mission

To enhance the quality of life in our communities by increasing the number of well-trained health care workers in the region, enhancing academic resources for existing health care workers and fostering a healthy lifestyle through community education programs.