AHEC Rural Healthcare Summer Camp: Building the Next Generation of West Texas Health LeadersJanuary 13, 2026

By Brie Ragland, MC Director of Marketing & Communications

When Katie Miller, Director of the Permian Basin Area Health Education Center (AHEC), scribbled “start a rural healthcare summer camp” on a sticky note, she wasn’t sure how or when it would happen — only that it had to. The idea came to fruition after a conversation with Dr. Adrian Billings, Associate Academic Dean for the Rural and Community Engagement Division at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Permian Basin. He expressed interest in a hands-on initiative that would connect high school students from underserved areas to healthcare careers.

That Post-It note goal and the kismet conversation became a reality in 2023-2024. Now in its second year, the Rural Healthcare Summer Camp has grown into a collaborative, cross-institutional effort to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of rural healthcare professionals in West Texas.

“This camp was designed to illustrate the critical need for rural healthcare workers and to expose high school students from underserved regions to the diverse range of health care careers available to them,” said Billings.

And it's working.

In just two years, the Rural Healthcare Summer Camp has experienced remarkable growth. What began with 19 students in 2024 expanded to 28 campers in 2025 — and according to Katie Miller and Dr. Adrian Billings, that momentum is only building.

This year’s camp was guided by seven college-student counselors with a “Grow Your Own” approach to mentorship that highlights local talent and demonstrates the many healthcare paths available in West Texas. These counselors not only shared their knowledge but served as living examples of what students from the region can achieve, from nursing and pharmacy to social work and behavioral health.

The counselors were: 

• Chrisanta De La O – Sul Ross State University (SRSU) – Nursing 
• Vanessa Delgado – TTUHSC – Physician Assistant 
• Anabelle Gonzalez-Aranda – University of Texas at El Paso – Pharmacy 
• Eriana Loya – Midland College – Primary Care Pathway Program 
• Camryn Medina – SRSU – Health & Human Performance 
• Rachael Smith – Howard College – Radiology 
• Zariah Soto (LEAD counselor) – University of Texas Permian Basin – Social Work 

“It’s incredibly important that these high school students see college students in action,” said Miller. “Representation matters. When young people see someone just a few years ahead of them pursuing a healthcare career, it makes the goal feel real and achievable.”

Campers spent a week engaging in hands-on activities, learning from expert panelists, and participating in immersive simulations. They practiced CPR techniques, examined x-rays, and explored healthcare tools and technologies used in real-world settings.

“When students get hands-on experience and speak directly with professionals in the field, it opens their eyes to what’s possible,” said Kally Eddison, Department Chair of Respiratory Care at Midland College. “At the camp, we’re not just talking about careers. We’re showing students that there are real opportunities available to them, right here in their own communities. It’s rewarding to help them see themselves as future respiratory therapists, nurses, or healthcare leaders.”

Collaboration at Its Core

The Rural Healthcare Summer Camp thrives on partnership. Institutions such as Sul Ross State University, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, UTEP, UTPB, and Midland College are integral to its success. Each partner brings unique academic and professional expertise to the table.

Midland College had a strong presence at the 2025 camp. Faculty and staff served as panelists, led breakout sessions, and connected with students during a health science resource fair. The college highlighted several key programs, including its Primary Care Pathway Program, Respiratory Care Program, and Continuing Education Health Sciences Programs, showing students how accessible and achievable a career in healthcare can be, right here in West Texas.

Investing in the Future

A critical component of this year’s camp success was generous funding support from Diamondback Energy, which contributed over $10,000 to cover counselor stipends and camper housing costs.

“At Diamondback Energy, we understand that strong communities need strong healthcare systems, and that starts with investing in the next generation,” said Ashley Colquitt, Corporate Affairs Representative. “We’re proud to support a program that not only inspires students but also helps strengthen rural healthcare access across the Permian Basin.”

Their investment helped eliminate barriers for both campers and college mentors, ensuring that students from rural and underserved areas could attend without financial burden, and that counselors were supported in delivering a meaningful, weeklong experience.

As the Rural Healthcare Summer Camp continues to grow in size and impact, continued support from community and corporate partners will be key to expanding its reach. Whether through funding additional student slots, offering program enhancements, or covering transportation and lodging costs, these investments have the power to change the future of healthcare in rural West Texas.

Changing Lives, One Camper at a Time

For students like Maritza Tarin, the camp was more than a summer activity … It was a career awakening.

“This experience taught me so much,” said Tarin. “I learned just how important clear and thorough communication is in healthcare. Teamwork also stood out to me, no one is ever really working alone! Every role matters, whether you’re helping save a life or simply making a patient feel more comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. I also realize coming from a rural community doesn’t diminish our chances of achieving our dreams and healthcare. It gives us more of an opportunity.”

She continued, “Everything I learned and everyone I met inspired me by showing me that healthcare is more than a career – it’s a calling. People talking on panels opened my eyes into what the healthcare world is really like, and just how many opportunities there are in the industry.”

“Because of Katie Miller, Director of AHEC, we were able to have a resource fair, where I was introduced to the opportunity of shadowing at MCH in Odessa, Texas. Over the summer, I completed around 17 hours of shadowing in my dream unit – the NICU – for a three-day period. This only strengthened my passion for NICU!”

Counselors, too, walked away with a renewed sense of purpose. Zariah Soto and Eriana Loya reflected on their week of mentorship, noting the powerful impact of connecting with students who reminded them of their younger selves.

“I was motivated to become a counselor because the camp directly addresses a cause I'm passionate about: closing the gap in healthcare for rural communities,” said Soto. “My professor introduced me to the opportunity, and I was immediately eager to help. I saw it as a chance to directly inspire the next generation of healthcare leaders, particularly in the areas where they are most needed.”

She continued, “My experience as a counselor transformed my view on how to effectively introduce people to public health. It showed me that true understanding doesn't come from a simple explanation; it comes from hands-on opportunities guided by a professional mentor. The camp solidified my perspective that a mentor can reveal the interconnectedness of all public health careers. By providing this tangible, holistic look at the field, the program proved to me that this is the most effective way to inspire the next generation and bring new talent into the field.”

Eriana Loya said, “I’ve always had a deep passion for teaching, helping, and mentoring others, and this camp gave me the incredible opportunity to live that passion while guiding bright young students. This experience reminded me how vital community and support are for students chasing their dreams. When they see others walking a similar path, it shows them that no matter how small their hometown, their potential is truly limitless.”

A Strategic Investment in Rural Healthcare

As demand for rural healthcare workers grows, programs like the Rural Healthcare Summer Camp are essential. By exposing students early to healthcare careers, connecting them with college mentors, and linking them to local training pathways, the camp is building a pipeline of future providers who understand and are inspired to serve rural communities.

It’s more than a summer camp. It’s planting seeds today that will grow into stronger, more resilient healthcare systems for West Texas tomorrow.