Author Archives: VBR

Texas Rural Communities has awarded Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement a $5,000 grant to fund participants living in rural communities from Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties. “We are immensely thankful to Texas Rural Communities for selecting VIDA as one of their grant recipients and recognizing the importance of enhancing higher education opportunities for student success,” said VIDA Deputy Executive Director Felida Villarreal. “Through this collaboration, VIDA will continue…

UTRGV Transitions Occupational Therapy Program

February 28, 2022

VBR

Education Featured News Comments

The UTRGV Department of Occupational Therapy has transitioned its master’s program into a doctoral program. As part of the university’s College of Health Professions, the OT program provides student-centered instruction. The curriculum prepares future practitioners for working with people who need physical, sensory or cognitive assistance. This new program replaces UTRGV’s Master of Occupational Therapy in an effort to meet unique demands in healthcare. It will also create entry-level clinical doctoral…

UTRGV Receives $1 Million To Enhance Campus Life

February 22, 2022

VBR

Education Featured News Comments

The UTRGV Foundation is allocating $1 million to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to help support campus life initiatives that were approved last year by a student referendum. Last November, UTRGV students voted to approve an athletics fee increase to help fund the expansion of spirit programs. Funds will also go towards the establishment of a marching band, women’s swimming and diving, and football. The allocation by the…

Irizarry Named Valley Regional Medical Center CEO

February 20, 2022

VBR

Featured Healthcare News Comments

David Irizarry is the new chief executive officer of Valley Regional Medical Center, replacing Art Garza, who transferred to Del Sol Medical Center in January 2022. Irizarry will assume his new role March 14. Irizarry began his healthcare career in 2002 with HCA Healthcare. He served as a volunteer at Rio Grande Regional Hospital for 10 years and most recently as chief operating officer of Rio Grande Regional Hospital. Under…

Arevalo Heads Up Visit McAllen

February 19, 2022

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

Alexandra Arevalo is the new interim director of the McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau, also known as Visit McAllen. Arevalo has been with the bureau for two years, previously as a convention sales manager and currently as CVB McAllen director of sales. Prior to Arevalo’s time with the Convention and Visitors Bureau, she worked for the City of McAllen as an event coordinator for the Convention Center and Performing Arts…

Hidalgo County Pledges $2 Million to STC Nursing

February 18, 2022

VBR

e-Brief Features Education Government Healthcare News Comments

Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez and the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court have pledged $2 million to fund salaries for South Texas Colleges Nursing and Allied Health nursing instructors. The funding is an effort to increase enrollment while also doubling the number of nurses graduating from STC. Cortez and others gathered Feb. 14 at STC’s Nursing and Allied Health Campus to celebrate the funding. Joining Cortez for the check signing were…

Pharr EDC Accepting Scholarship Applications

February 17, 2022

VBR

Community e-Brief Features Education Featured News Comments

The Pharr EDC Foundation is now accepting applications from 2021-2022 graduating seniors for its Foundation Scholarship. The scholarships benefits students in Pharr who are enrolling in a qualifying post-secondary institution. Deadline to apply is 5 p.m. March 14. The scholarship offering is in partnership with the Pharr Economic Development Corporation and the City of Pharr. “We are excited to open the Pharr EDC Foundation Scholarship to our Pharr community for…

Donate Much-Needed Blood Feb. 21 in Harlingen

February 17, 2022

VBR

Community Events e-Brief Features News Comments

Loaves and Fishes in Harlingen is hosting a blood drive on Feb. 21 to help alleviate a critical blood shortage. According to organizers, Vitalant currently has less than a four-day supply of most blood types available. It has even less when it comes to typo O blood with less than a two-day supply. Blood donations are being distributed to hospital patients faster than donors are giving, therefore help is needed…

City of McAllen Hires Engineering Director

February 16, 2022

VBR

Featured Government News Comments

The City of McAllen has hired Eduardo Mendoza as its new director of Engineering. The Rio Grande Valley resident has more than 20 years of experience in engineering, construction management, policy development, budgeting, fiscal management and operational management. He recently served as the interim director of Engineering for the City of McAllen. Before that, he led the department as the deputy director since 2015, managing and completing major projects. These…

South Texas All Hazards Conference March 23-24

February 15, 2022

VBR

News Comments

The eighth annual South Texas All Hazards Conference takes place March 23-24 at the McAllen Performing Arts Center and McAllen Convention Center. Organizers expect more than 3,000 individuals from public health, public safety, public works, incident and emergency management, law enforcement, and educational institutions to attend. The STAHC is the second largest training conference of its kind in the state of Texas. It is also the only conference offered at…