Mission, Texas —Sept 4th, 2025— Workforce Solutions (WFS) has presented a $100,000 Healthcare Internship Fund grant to Mission Consolidated Independent School District (Mission CISD) to expand hands-on healthcare training opportunities for local students. Over the next 12 months, the project will serve approximately 120 certified high school students enrolled in health science programs across two campuses, providing them with a 6-week internship in clinical settings. Supervised by Mission CISD staff, students will gain real-world experience in patient care, administrative duties, and exposure to healthcare careers, preparing them for future employment in the healthcare sector.

 Two local hospitals — Mission Regional Hospital and Rio Grande Regional Hospital — have committed to hosting interns as employer partners. By offering mentorship and professional supervision, these hospitals will provide students with valuable exposure to the healthcare field while contributing to the sustainability of the regional workforce.

Francisco Almaraz, WFS CEO, emphasized the importance of the initiative:

“This partnership is an investment in both our students and our healthcare system. By providing young people with meaningful clinical experiences, we are not only preparing them for future careers in healthcare, but we are also ensuring that our community has a pipeline of skilled professionals ready to meet the region’s growing healthcare needs.”

"We are truly grateful to Workforce Solutions for believing in our students and their potential. This grant provides life-changing opportunities for our health science students to step into real healthcare settings, learn from professionals, and discover their calling," said Dr. Cris Valdez, Mission CISD Superintendent of Schools. "This is an investment in both our students and our community."

The Healthcare Internship Fund demonstrates a practical, high-impact approach to developing local healthcare talent, improving patient care, and building a stronger workforce for the future.

WFS serves as the governing body for the workforce development area that includes Hidalgo, Willacy, and Starr counties. The primary goal of the WFS Board is to respond to the needs of local employers and workers through locally designed, demand-driven workforce development initiatives.

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