The Heart of Our Community
From heart health to neighborhood outreach, Texas Tech Health El Paso is making a difference where it matters most.
By Christopher Rosenbluth
During American Heart Month in February, community members gathered on campus for “Heart-to-Heart With Dr. Richard Lange.” The bilingual educational session focused on prevention, wellness and everyday choices that shape long-term heart health.
Hosted by the university’s Office of Interprofessional Education’s Community Health Outreach and Education division, the event reflects the institution’s commitment to improving lives. A $14,000 grant from EveryoneOn helped provide tablet computers and technology resources to participants, enhancing digital health literacy and related skills.
Over the course of the two-hour discussion, President Lange spoke candidly about cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death both locally and nationally. Drawing on decades of experience as a practicing cardiologist, he encouraged attendees to focus on prevention through lifestyle changes. This includes regular movement, a balanced diet, better sleep and greater awareness of controllable health risk factors.
The session also created space for shared stories, questions and guidance for loved ones with heart-related conditions. More than a lecture, “Heart-to-Heart” became a meaningful reminder of the power of education and connection.
Heart-to-Heart
By Christopher Rosenbluth
Attendees participated in a bilingual “Heart-to-Heart” session featuring cardiovascular prevention, interactive discussion and everyday steps toward better heart health.
Community Health Outreach
Since relaunching in March 2025 under the leadership of Alyssa Cervantes Benavides, Ph.D., Texas Tech Health El Paso’s Community Health Outreach and Education team of community health workers, known as “promotores” in Spanish, has expanded its impact. The team, a division of the Office of Interprofessional Education, has recorded more than 43,000 community engagements while improving health literacy, digital confidence and access to care.
Those efforts included educational forums, neighborhood outreach, health fairs, school programs and digital health initiatives across El Paso.
Among the team’s signature projects was the launch of a free bilingual Community Digital Health Academy. The program helps participants learn how to navigate telehealth platforms, patient portals, prescription tools and other digital healthcare resources.
This year also marked the launch of VapeFree El Paso – Borderland Dental Leaders, an initiative funded through a grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The program provides free oral health pre-screenings for school-aged children while educating families about the health risks associated with vaping.
Promotoras Maria Land and Laura Renovato are a particularly valuable part of these initiatives. Through hands-on outreach, they help El Paso families access information and services that are culturally responsive to their needs.
The Community Health Outreach and Education team includes Francisco Maldonado, Ed.D., Claudia Lozano, Ph.D., and Anita Probasco, all of whom bring programs directly to schools, senior centers, libraries and other neighborhood hot spots. These efforts strengthen trust, health literacy and digital confidence, while connecting residents with resources they need to support lifelong wellness.
Spring into Wellness
In April, students, faculty and staff enjoyed the return of “Spring Into Wellness.” Designed to encourage wellness in all its forms, the friendly field day gave members of the university community an opportunity to step away from the daily demands of classrooms, clinics and offices.
For a few hours on a sunny spring day, the campus transformed into a lively gathering space filled with competition, delicious food and fun. Attendees enjoyed volleyball and flag football tournaments, karaoke and a dunking booth. Meanwhile, the Human Resources Wellness Fair connected participants with wellness resources.
Raffle prizes, giveaways and the chance to unwind encouraged participation from across the university and reinforced the importance of bringing balance to overall well-being, even in the midst of busy workdays and final exams.
“Spring Into Wellness” also highlighted the importance of Texas Tech Health El Paso’s Employee Giving Campaign. Employees were invited to support programs benefiting students, faculty and campus initiatives through payroll deduction or one-time gifts. Last year alone, employees contributed more than $60,000, demonstrating the meaningful impact of collective generosity.
Together, the event served as both a celebration of wellness and a reminder about the true meaning of a strong university community. It is built not only through academic and professional achievement but through shared support for one another.
Students, faculty and staff gathered for “Spring Into Wellness,” enjoying friendly competition, wellness activities and community.
Estudiantes, profesores y personal administrativo se reunieron para “Spring Into Wellness,” disfrutando de competencias amistosas, actividades de bienestar y un sentido de comunidad.
En abril, estudiantes, profesores y personal administrativo disfrutaron el regreso de “Spring Into Wellness,” un evento para fomentar el bienestar en todas sus dimensiones. Esta jornada recreativa brindó a los miembros de la comunidad universitaria la oportunidad de hacer una pausa en las exigencias diarias de las aulas, las clínicas y las oficinas.
Durante unas horas de una soleada tarde de primavera, el campus se transformó en un espacio lleno de convivencia, competencia amistosa, deliciosa comida y diversión. Los asistentes participaron en torneos de voleibol y fútbol bandera, disfrutaron karaoke y pusieron a prueba su puntería en el dunk tank. Al mismo tiempo, la Feria de Bienestar organizada por Recursos Humanos, conectó a los participantes con diversos recursos y servicios enfocados en la salud y el bienestar.
Los sorteos, obsequios y la oportunidad de relajarse motivaron la participación de toda la comunidad universitaria y reforzaron la importancia de mantener un equilibrio en el bienestar integral, incluso en medio de las jornadas laborales y los exámenes finales.
“Spring Into Wellness” también destacó la importancia de la Campaña de Donaciones de los Empleados de Texas Tech Health El Paso. Se invitó a los empleados a apoyar programas que benefician a estudiantes, profesores e iniciativas del campus mediante deducciones vía nómina o donaciones únicas. Tan solo el año pasado, los empleados aportaron más de $60,000, demostrando el impacto significativo que puede tener la generosidad colectiva.
En conjunto, el evento fue una celebración del bienestar como un recordatorio del verdadero significado de una sólida comunidad universitaria. Una que se fortalece no solo a través de los logros académicos y profesionales, sino también mediante el apoyo mutuo.