Marking its 50th year of operation, the Rio Grande Campus of El Paso Community College (EPCC) has announced that its Rio Grande Border Health Clinic (RGBHC) is poised to expand its range of health services. Catering specifically to students, faculty, staff, and the broader El Paso community, the non-profit clinic prioritizes affordability while delivering essential preventive and primary care.
As obtained by EPCC News, Dr. Souraya Hajjar, Rio Grande campus Dean of Health, Career and Technical Education, Math, and Science, stated, “The Rio Grande Border Health Clinic serves as a vital community resource, offering preventive and affordable health services to the residents of the Rio Grande area." Attached to this institution is the dual purpose of not only meeting health needs but also fostering a practical learning environment for students in health programs. Physical exams are offered at $35, with follow-up visits and lab tests beginning at a modest $25. While appointments are emphasized, the clinic does welcome walk-ins, particularly for urgent, albeit non-emergency conditions.
Staffed by a full-time nurse practitioner and medical director, the clinic's services are both basic and specialized. When patients require higher-level care, referrals to Texas Tech or University Medical Center (UMC) clinics are made with additional support to access patient discount programs. In line with its educational mission, EPCC’s RGBHC also serves as a crucial training ground for nursing and other health profession students, as described by Nursing Associate Professor Mary Kaough in an interview with EPCC News.
“Our students gain real-world experience while serving their community," shared Kaough, as per EPCC News, who has managed the nursing operations at the clinic since 2006. She elaborates on the clinic not just being a healthcare hub, but also a site where people can learn about their health, manage their wellness, and receive the guidance they need to live healthier lives. This community focus is further extended through health fairs, vaccination drives, and educational “titer clinics" for high schoolers eyeing healthcare careers.
With services like Dental Hygiene, Sonography, and Nursing, the RGBHC has been addressing the diverse needs of the local population since 2003. These offerings are especially valuable for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, low-income families, and those underserved in healthcare. Carolina Rios De La Cruz, an EPCC Nursing graduate, plays a key role in managing the front office and coordinating service-learning students and volunteers to ensure smooth clinic operations.
The response from the community has been strongly affirmative. According to EPCC News, the clinic has established itself as a pivotal access point for healthcare. Dr. Hajjar praised the clinic's embodiment of EPCC's mission: “By connecting education and service, the Rio Grande Border Health Clinic embodies EPCC's mission to strengthen our community," she said. “It truly represents healthcare with a heart."
