The Socorro Independent School District Health Professionals Academy celebrated incoming freshman joining the program during the White Coat Induction Ceremony in November at Socorro High School.
The event honored freshmen who have chosen the HPA four-year program to pave their way to becoming future health care providers.
“Health care careers are in high demand right now, so it’s important for us to provide students with that preparation postsecondary and to help them into their health care-designated field, which makes Socorro a great place to receive all of those opportunities,” said Fabiola Armendariz, HPA coordinator at Socorro High School.
During the event, students were presented with their white coats and stethoscopes by their parents, who helped them put them on for the first time during the ceremony.
The concept of being presented with medical coats and stethoscopes is a visual symbol of the health care professions' first significant transition from book learning to lab work and clinicals before obtaining certification.
Yalitza Rivas, a freshman at Socorro High School, said she was excited to hear her name called during the ceremony and have her mom, who works in the health care field herself, place her white coat and stethoscope on her.
"I was excited to have my mom be a part of this moment," Rivas said. "She is a great example of what someone can accomplish in this field, and she is always supporting me."
Socorro High School freshman Adrian Martinez found the ceremony encouraging.
"I was nervous and excited at the same time," Martinez said. "I enjoy the HPA program and would love for it to lead me into forensic science."
The ceremony also celebrated the second year of the HPA partnership with Texas Tech University Health Science Center (TTUHSC) Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing High School Pipeline Program.
The second cohort of nursing students entering the program will be working toward earning their associate of arts degree and meeting the requirements to apply to the TTUHSC baccalaureate program.
The HPA program, which is housed at Socorro High School, is part of SISD's advanced academics courses, giving students the skills, training, and knowledge to pursue careers as health care providers.
As part of the program, students will do clinical rotations at The Hospitals at Providence, University Medical Center, Del Sol Medical Center, Las Palmas Medical Center, Adobe Animal Hospital and Veterinary Clinic, Immunize El Paso, Centro San Vicente, Oasis Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, Walgreens and CVS pharmacies, and various dental offices throughout the community.
Eliab Rojo, a freshman at Socorro High School, said it was great to celebrate the start of the journey going into the medical field.
"It's great to have this program because it gives us an idea of what is required to do what we want to achieve," Rojo said.
Socorro High School freshman Omar Mariscal was excited about the opportunity provided by the district.
"This really helps students figure out what they want to do and prepares them," Mariscal said. "I think this will help me obtain my future career goals and succeed.”
Socorro High School White Coat Induction Ceremony event photos
Published February 7, 2023
Strategic Direction: College and Career Readiness