Every Drop Counts

Bridging Health Gaps: Outreach Transforms Lives Across the Borderland

Texas Tech Health El Paso's Community Health Outreach and Education Program proves that every drop of knowledge creates waves of lasting change

Article courtesy of the Texas Tech Health El Paso Community Health Outreach and Education Program

When El Pasoan Martha Muñoz learned diabetes and oral health are interconnected, the knowledge came through the trusted voice of Laura, a promotora who spoke at Every Drop Counts: Diabetes, Dentistry, and Healthy Choices, a forum presented this summer by the Texas Tech Health El Paso Community Health Outreach and Education Program.

This moment—repeated dozens of times throughout the bilingual forum—exemplifies why this unique community outreach program represents one of the most vital investments in regional health care transformation.

Community Health Workers: The Bridge Between Knowledge and Action

At the heart of the program are community health workers (CHWs), or promotores, who serve as trusted guides in their communities. These professionals, trained in providing community-responsive health education, don't just distribute information—they transform complex medical concepts into actionable wisdom that resonates in on-campus workshops and community centers across the Borderland.

"Promotoras, like Mary and Laura on our team, make health care accessible where it matters most," said Alyssa C. Benavides, Ph.D., managing director of Interprofessional Education, Community Health Outreach and Education at Texas Tech Health El Paso. Dr. Benavides witnessed firsthand how these community champions fielded questions, distributed resources, and ensured participants felt supported long after the forum ended. Their work represents a sustainable model for closing health disparities in underserved populations—like those in El Paso and in West Texas as a whole.

Training Tomorrow's Health Care Leaders Today

The forum, held on campus June 21, showcased another critical program value: interprofessional student education. Hunt School of Dental Medicine students Paola Flores, Andrea Carrillo, and Blanca Castillo didn't just observe health care education, they led it as bilingual panel moderators. Moderating the panel in English and Spanish for community attendees, these future dentists gained invaluable experience in community-responsive patient communication, health education delivery, and community engagement.

"Students are learning and training by serving, and our community is benefiting from the next generation of health leaders," said Dr. Benavides. This experiential learning model ensures Texas Tech Health El Paso graduates enter practice skilled in community-responsive patient education and outreach—competencies increasingly demanded by health care employers and vital for serving our Borderplex population.

Addressing Critical Health Disparities

The forum's focus on diabetes and oral health via the panel discussion “Understanding Diabetes and Oral Health” wasn't coincidental. El Paso faces significant health challenges: Diabetes rates exceed national averages, and dental care access remains limited for many residents. By connecting these conditions—demonstrating how gum disease influences diabetes management, for example—the program provides education that can save lives and reduce health care costs.

Faculty panelists Wilma Luquis-Aponte, D.M.D., Ph.D., Salma Elwazeer, M.D.S., Azucena Del Real, M.D., and Munmun Chattopadhyay, Ph.D., delivered evidence-based information directly to community members who might otherwise lack access to such expertise. This direct-to-community model eliminates traditional barriers and reaches families where they are.

Strategic Partnerships Multiply Impact

A collaboration with El Paso Water and UTHealth Houston, showcased at the forum in the panel “Habit, Hydration and Water Quality,” demonstrates the program's ability to build sustainable community partnerships with a shared focus on community health. The participation of El Paso Water’s Denise Parra and UTHealth Houston’s Denise Vasquez didn't just address the need for increased awareness on the high quality of El Paso’s tap water, and the benefit of water consumption on overall health—it strengthened public trust between local utilities and health care institutions while positioning Texas Tech Health El Paso as a convening force for community health.

These partnerships create a multiplier effect: One health education event generates ongoing relationships and collaborative networks that benefit students, faculty, community organizations, and residents.

Highlighting Clinical Access and Excellence Through Service

While serving community members in health education, Texas Tech Health El Paso’s Community Health Outreach and Education Program is simultaneously able to showcase the institution’s clinical services and academic excellence. Participants experienced firsthand the expertise of and availability of clinical services by faculty physicians, the professionalism and training of our dental students, and the institution's commitment to community health. This supports our efforts to increase awareness of the critical work Texas Tech Health El Paso offers to the El Paso community and West Texas region.

"By connecting the public directly with health professionals, our events not only provide education, but also showcase the health sciences center as a leading partner in improving the health and future of the Borderland," Dr. Benavides said.

Measurable Community Impact

The program's impact extends beyond single events. Participants leave with more than just health information—they leave with empowerment and new connections that translate to:

• Improved health behaviors: Families implement daily practices that prevent chronic diseases.

• Increased health care use: Community members connect with appropriate clinical services.

• Enhanced health literacy: Residents are better equipped to navigate health care decisions.

• Strengthened community resilience: Networks of informed individuals support neighbors' health.

Building a Healthier Future

As participants departed the forum with participation certificates and renewed commitment to healthy choices, they carried something more valuable: the reinforcement that their health matters, their community supports them, and Texas Tech Health El Paso stands ready to serve as their partner in wellness.

The Texas Tech Health El Paso Community Health Outreach and Education Program proves that small steps—every conversation with promotores, every student who gains real-world experience, every partnership forged—add up to transformational change across the Borderland.

In a region where health disparities persist and health care access challenges remain significant, this program offers a proven model for sustainable, community-centered health improvement.

Together, students, providers, promotores, and community partners are proving that every drop of knowledge shared creates a healthier, stronger Borderplex. For Texas Tech Health El Paso, supporting this mission isn't just good health care—it's good community citizenship.