TXHES Expands Early Engagement at LaGrone Academy
Preparing Texas’ future health workforce is starting earlier in the education pipeline—well
before students reach college or consider applying to professional school.
Recently, The Texas Health Education Service (TXHES), in collaboration with the Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) and the Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP), engaged students at LaGrone Academy, a Denton ISD career and technology campus, through a series of interactive sessions designed to introduce health professions pathways and statewide resources earlier in the pipeline. Delivered across four instructional blocks over two days, the sessions reached mixed cohorts of juniors and seniors enrolled in health science pathways, including Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), Pharmacy Technician, and Patient Care Technician (PCT) programs.
Led by Dr. Nina G. Gonzalez, Director of JAMP and TXHES Strategic Initiatives, the
sessions focused on providing students with early, accurate insight into health professions
education in Texas—highlighting early awareness, informed decision-making, and a clearer
understanding of health professions pathways.
Early Pipeline Engagement as a Workforce Strategy
Rather than focusing on a single profession, the sessions highlighted the range of roles and pathways that contribute to patient care across the health system—from entry-level clinical positions to advanced practice and physician pathways.
Students were introduced to:
- Statewide application and advising resources available through TXHES
- The TMDSAS application process and participating Texas institutions
- The JAMP program as a pathway supporting students from undergraduate preparation through medical school
Discussions focused not only on what career options exist, but how early decisions can shape long-term outcomes—including academic preparation, course selection, professionalism, clinical exposure, and intentional undergraduate planning.
“This initiative allows us to prepare students with the right start—rather than requiring adjustment later in undergraduate education,” said Dr. Nina G. Gonzalez. “By reaching students earlier, we can share practical guidance on how to begin strong in college and prepare intentionally for the pre-health pathway before critical decisions are made.”
Connecting Stages of the Health Professions Pathway
A defining feature of the LaGrone Academy engagement was the range of perspectives
represented, designed to illustrate progression across stages of training and career
development.
During interactive Q&A sessions, students engaged directly with:
- Dr. Shirley Anderson, JAMP Faculty Director & Council Consultant at The University of Texas
- Admissions ambassadors and medical students from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, including current JAMP Scholars
- Medical students from McGovern Medical School representing multiple years of training
Students consistently noted the impact of hearing directly from individuals who had navigated academic challenges, course rigor, and the medical school admissions process. These perspectives helped make pathways feel both realistic and attainable.
“Watching the students light up as they learned about these possibilities was incredibly rewarding,” shared Amanda Helms, CCMA Instructor at LaGrone Academy. “Hearing real-life journeys shared by Dr. Gonzalez and medical students was highly motivating and reinforced the importance of preparation, resilience, and intentional planning.”
Faculty and staff also noted increased student engagement and more focused questions
following the sessions, reflecting a deeper understanding of the path ahead.
Strengthening Alignment Across the Pipeline
The impact of the visit extended beyond the classroom. Following the sessions, LaGrone Academy requested continued collaboration with TXHES and JAMP to support connections between students and regional undergraduate institutions as part of an expanded health professions career fair planned for May. The University of North Texas, the University of Texas at Dallas, and Texas Woman’s University will participate in the upcoming career fair.
This next step reflects continued alignment between early career and technical education programs and regional undergraduate partners—strengthening continuity across statewode health professions pathways.
Looking ahead, TXHES and JAMP plan to expand this approach by engaging students earlier
in their academic journey, introducing foundational awareness and advising before
key academic pathways are established.
Why This Matters to Texas
Texas faces a growing demand for a well-prepared, resilient health workforce. Efforts like the LaGrone Academy engagement reflect a broader focus on strengthening alignment across the health professions education continuum.
By reaching students earlier, TXHES supports:
- Stronger academic preparation before college entry
- Improved readiness and persistence in undergraduate education
- More informed transitions into professional school pathways
- A more prepared and connected pipeline of future health professionals across Texas
As Texas continues to invest in its health education infrastructure, early pipeline
engagement efforts like this help ensure students are not only inspired to pursue
health careers—but also positioned to navigate the pathway successfully from the very
beginning.
About the author: The Texas Health Education Service amplifies TMDSAS and JAMP’s missions to serve students, collegiate advisors, and professional schools in Texas by providing students with accurate educational resources to enhance their preparation for a career in the health professions, and supporting efforts by advisors and professional schools to reach students and enrich the applicant pool.
Inside Health Education
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