The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 hosted a grand opening of its UT Health RGV Pediatric Specialty office, located at 4150 Crosspoint Blvd. in Edinburg. The specialty office aims to close gaps in access to general and specialty care for children, with services that include general pediatrics, pulmonary, developmental, and metabolic and genetic disorders. The grand opening included tours of the facility and a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, Edinburg Mayor Richard Molina, Mayor Pro Tem David Torres, Councilmember Gilbert Enríquez and other community and university leaders. Molina, the Edinburg mayor, expressed the community’s excitement about the pediatrics practice bringing much-needed care to the region. “Families are not going to have to travel anymore to Corpus Christi or San Antonio or Houston,” he said. “Now they can come to UT Health RGV Pediatric Specialty Clinic and get the very best medical care close to home. As your mayor, I couldn’t be more proud to say, it’s one more step toward a healthier community.” The Edinburg Mayor and Edinburg City Council, along with the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation and its Board of Directors, lobby the Texas Legislature and the UT System Board of Regents on matters that benefit and protect UTRGV and its School of Medicine, which have major campuses in the city.
Photograph By PAUL CHOUY
••••••
For second consecutive month, Edinburg registers Valley’s lowest unemployment rate – 4.7 percent in March 2018 – an increase of 1,056 jobs compared with March 2017 figure
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
[email protected]
For the second consecutive month, Edinburg posted the lowest unemployment rate in the Rio Grande Valley, coming in at 4.7 percent for March 2018, and also saw an increase of almost 1,100 jobs compared with the same month last year, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation has announced.
Edinburg also was the only Rio Grande Valley economy for March 2018 which had an unemployment rate of less than five percent. McAllen was second with a 5 percent unemployment rate.
For March 2018, there were 39,216 individuals employed in the city, compared with 38,160 persons working in March 2017 – representing an addition of 1,056 jobs, according to the Texas Workforce Commission, which released statewide figures on Friday, April 20, 2018.
Also, Edinburg saw a growth of 252 jobs when comparing the monthly total for March 2018 (39,216) and February 2018 (38,964), the Texas Workforce Commission also reported.
The unemployment rate for Edinburg during February 2018 was 4.9 percent.
The unemployment rate is a key indicator of the strength of the local economy.
The Edinburg EDC, of which Joey Treviño is the Executive Director, is the jobs-creation arm of Mayor Richard Molina, Mayor Pro-Tem David Torres, Councilmember Homer Jasso, Jr., Councilmember Gilbert Enríquez, and Councilmember Jorge Salinas.
The Edinburg EDC Board of Directors is comprised of Councilmember Enríquez as President, Edinburg School Board Trustee Miguel “Mike” Farías as Vice-President, Councilmember Salinas as Secretary/Treasurer, and Mayor Molina and Mayor Pro Tem Torres as Members.
In addition, the March 2018 unemployment rate of 4.7 percent represents the fourth time during that month that the city’s unemployment rate has been below five percent since 2005, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.
The number of jobs in Edinburg is independently documented by the Texas Workforce Commission, a state agency with many key duties, such as maintaining and reporting on key trends in state and local economies, including unemployment rates and the number of people employed in cities.
The unemployment rate is the number of persons unemployed, expressed as a percentage of the civilian labor force, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. The civilian labor force is that portion of the population age 16 and older employed or unemployed. To be considered unemployed, a person has to be not working but willing and able to work and actively seeking work.
For the past several years, Edinburg has registered the lowest or second-lowest monthly unemployment rate among all Valley cities.
Edinburg’s March 2018 unemployment rate of (4.7) percent is part of a consistent pattern of positive reports, including February 2018 (4.9 percent), January 2018 (5.2 percent), December 2017 (4.8 percent), November 2017 (4.8 percent), October 2017 (4.9 percent), September 2017 (5.3 percent), August 2017 (6 percent), July (5.7 percent), June 2017 (5.6), May 2017 (4.9 percent), April 2017 (4.8 percent), March 2017 (5.4 percent), February 2017 (5.9 percent) and January 2017 (6.1 percent).
According to the Texas Workforce Commission, for the month of March 2018, these are the employment figures for the seven largest cities in the Valley:
Brownsville: 71,193
McAllen: 63,823
Edinburg: 39,216
Mission: 32,633
Pharr: 28,681
Harlingen: 23,440
Weslaco: 14,770
CITY’S MONTHLY, ANNUAL UNEMPLOYMENT REMAIN AMONG BEST IN VALLEY
Edinburg’s March 2018 unemployment rate and the latest figures from the Valley’s most populated cities follow:
Edinburg: 4.7 percent
McAllen: 5 percent
Mission: 6.1 percent
Harlingen: 6.1 percent
Brownsville: 6.7 percent
Weslaco: 7.2 percent
Pharr: 7.5 percent
The state’s unemployment rate in March 2018 was 4.1 percent, compared with 4.5 percent in March 2017.
The U.S. unemployment rate in March 2018 was 4.1 percent, compared with 4.5 percent the same month the previous year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000).
Edinburg’s annual unemployment rate for 2017 compared favorably with the Valley’s other major cities:
The annual unemployment rate in McAllen for 2017 was 5.1 percent;
The annual unemployment rate in Edinburg for 2017 was 5.3 percent;
The annual unemployment rate in Harlingen for 2o17 was 6.4 percent;
The annual unemployment rate in Mission for 2o17 was 6.8 percent;
The annual unemployment rate in Brownsville for 2017 was 7.2 percent;
The annual unemployment rate in Weslaco for 2o17 was 8 percent; and
The annual unemployment rate in Pharr for 2o17 was 8.1 percent.
Edinburg’s annual unemployment rates since 2005, which is the year in which the state government began preparing those figures using a more accurate formula, according to the Texas Workforce Commission, have registered as follows: 2017 (5.3 percent), 2016 (5.8 percent), 2015 (5 percent), 2014 (5.8 percent), 2013 (7 percent), 2012 (7.5 percent), 2011 (8.4 percent), 2010 (8.2 percent), 2009 (6.8 percent), 2008 (4.9 percent), 2007 (4.7 percent), 2006 (5.2 percent), and 2005 (4.9 percent).
Edinburg’s 2018 employment, by month, follows:
March: 39,216
February: 38,964
January: 38,514
Edinburg’s 2017 employment, by month, follows:
December: 38,595
November: 38,396
October: 38,181
September: 38,007
August: 37,442
July: 37,237
June: 38,047
May: 38,317
April: 38,407
March: 38,160
February: 37,895
January: 37,738
Also according to the Texas Workforce Commission, the major cities in the four-county Valley have recorded the following monthly unemployment rates in 2017, 2016, and 2015:
••••••
EDINBURG
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2018
March: 4.7 percent
February: 4.9 percent
January: 5.2 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2017
December: 4.8 percent
November 2017: 4.8 percent
October 2017: 4.9 percent
September 2017: 5.3 percent
August: 6.0 percent
July: 5.7 percent
June: 5.6 percent
May: 4.9 percent
April: 4.8 percent
March: 5.4 percent
February: 5.9 percent
January: 6.1 percent
2017 Annual Unemployment Rate: 5.3 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2016
December: 5.7 percent
November: 5.6 percent
October: 5.7 percent
September: 6.2 percent
August: 6.2 percent
July: 6.4 percent
June: 6.3 percent
May: 5.2 percent
April: 5.3 percent
March: 5.5 percent
February: 5.3 percent
January: 5.7 percent
2016 Annual Unemployment Rate: 5.8 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate 2015
December: 4.7 percent
November: 4.6 percent
October: 4.9 percent
September: 5 percent
August: 5.4 percent
July: 5.7 percent
June: 5.5 percent
May: 5.1 percent
April: 4.6 percent
March: 4.8 percent
February: 4.9 percent
January: 5.2 percent
2015 Annual Unemployment Rate: 5 percent
••••••
McALLEN
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2018
March: 5 percent
February: 4.9 percent
January: 5 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2017
December: 4.4 percent
November: 4.5 percent
October: 4.4 percent
September: 4.7 percent
August: 5.4 percent
July: 5.4 percent
June: 5.4 percent
May: 5.1 percent
April: 5 percent
March: 5.4 percent
February: 5.8 percent
January: 5.8 percent
2017 Annual Unemployment Rate: 5.1 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2016
December: 5.4 percent
November: 5.1 percent
October: 5.3 percent
September: 5.8 percent
August: 6 percent
July: 6 percent
June: 5.8 percent
May: 4.9 percent
April: 5 percent
March: 5.1 percent
February: 5 percent
January: 5.2 percent
2016 Annual Unemployment Rate: 5.4 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate 2015
December: 4.5 percent
November: 4.8 percent
October: 4.9 percent
September: 5.1 percent
August: 5.2 percent
July: 5.6 percent
June: 5.4 percent
May: 4.9 percent
April: 4.5 percent
March: 4.7 percent
February: 4.8 percent
January: 5.2 percent
2015 Annual Unemployment Rate: 5 percent
••••••
MISSION
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2018
March: 6.1 percent
February: 6 percent
January: 6.4 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2017
December: 5.7 percent
November: 5.7 percent
October: 5.7 percent
September: 6.4 percent
August: 7.1 percent
July: 7.2 percent
June: 7.2 percent
May: 6.3 percent
April: 6.6 percent
March: 7.2 percent
February: 7.7 percent
January: 8.3 percent
2017 Annual Unemployment Rate: 6.8 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2016
December: 7.4 percent
November: 7.1 percent
October: 6.9 percent
September: 7.3 percent
August: 7.6 percent
July: 7.9 percent
June: 7.8 percent
May: 6.8 percent
April: 7.1 percent
March: 7.4 percent
February: 7.3 percent
January: 7.6 percent
2016 Annual Unemployment Rate: 7.4 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2015
December: 6.1 percent
November: 6.1 percent
October: 6.1 percent
September: 6.1 percent
August: 6.4 percent
July: 6.7 percent
June: 6.7 percent
May: 6.1 percent
April: 5.7 percent
March: 5.8 percent
February: 5.9 percent
January: 6.4 percent
2015 Annual Unemployment Rate: 6.2 percent
••••••
HARLINGEN
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2018
March: 6.1 percent
February: 6.2 percent
January: 6 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2017
December: 5.4 percent
November: 5.9 percent
October: 5.5 percent
September: 5.9 percent
August: 6.7 percent
July: 6.7 percent
June: 6.6 percent
May: 6.2 percent
April: 6.3 percent
March: 6.8 percent
February: 7.1 percent
January: 7 percent
2017 Annual Unemployment Rate: 6.4 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2016
December: 6.2 percent
November: 6.1 percent
October: 6.4 percent
September: 6.5 percent
August: 6.6 percent
July 2016: 6.3 percent
June 2016: 6.3 percent
May 2016: 5.7 percent
April 2016: 5.7 percent
March 2016: 5.8 percent
February 2016: 5.8 percent
January 2016: 5.7 percent
2016 Annual Unemployment Rate: 6.1 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2015
December: 5.3 percent
November: 5.6 percent
October: 5.7 percent
September: 5.9 percent
August: 6.2 percent
July: 6.4 percent
June: 6.4 percent
May: 6 percent
April: 5.5 percent
March: 5.7 percent
February: 5.9 percent
January: 6.5 percent
2015 Annual Unemployment Rate: 5.9 percent
••••••
BROWNSVILLE
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2018
March: 6.7 percent
February: 6.9 percent
January: 7.1 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2017
December: 6.1 percent
November: 6 percent
October: 5.8 percent
September: 6.6 percent
August: 7.5 percent
July: 7.6 percent
June: 7.9 percent
May: 6.8 percent
April: 7.2 percent
March: 7.4 percent
February: 8.2 percent
January: 8.8 percent
2017 Annual Unemployment Rate: 7.2 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2016
December: 8.1 percent
November: 7.7 percent
October: 7.6 percent
September 2016: 8.2 percent
August 2016: 8.4 percent
July 2016: 8.5 percent
June: 8.5 percent
May: 7.1 percent
April: 7.1 percent
March: 7.3 percent
February: 7.2 percent
January 2016: 7.4 percent
2016 Annual Unemployment Rate: 7.8 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2015
December: 6.9 percent
November: 6.8 percent
October: 6.5 percent
September: 6.6 percent
August: 7 percent
July: 7.2 percent
June: 7.2 percent
May: 6.8 percent
April: 6.6 percent
March: 7.2 percent
February: 7.3 percent
January: 8 percent
2015 Annual Unemployment Rate: 7 percent
••••••
WESLACO
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2018
March: 7.2 percent
February: 7.4 percent
January: 8.6 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2017
December: 8 percent
November: 7.2 percent
October: 6 percent
September: 7.3 percent
August: 9 percent
July: 9.2 percent
June: 8.8 percent
May: 7.2 percent
April: 7.1 percent
March: 7.5 percent
February: 8.2 percent
January: 9.7 percent
2017 Annual Unemployment Rate: 8 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2016
December 2016: 9.5 percent
November 2016: 8.1 percent
October 2016: 6.7 percent
September 2016: 8.3 percent
August 2016: 8.8 percent
July 2016: 9.3 percent
June 2016: 8.8 percent
May 2016: 6.8 percent
April 2016: 6.9 percent
March: 7.7 percent
February 2016: 7.5 percent
January 2016: 8.3 percent.
2016 Annual Unemployment Rate: 8.1 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate 2015
December: 6.8 percent
November: 6.5 percent
October: 5.8 percent
September: 6.6 percent
August: 6.7 percent
July: 6.6 percent
June: 6.3 percent
May: 6 percent
April: 5.6 percent
March: 6 percent
February: 6.5 percent
January: 7.2 percent
2015 Annual Unemployment Rate: 6.4 percent
••••••
PHARR
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2018
March: 7.5 percent
February: 7.6 percent
January: 8.3 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2017
December: 7.1 percent
November: 6.9 percent
October: 6.4 percent
September: 7.6 percent
August: 8.9 percent
July: 8.7 percent
June: 8.9 percent
May: 7.6 percent
April: 7.8 percent
March: 8.5 percent
February: 8.8 percent
January: 9.8 percent
2017 Annual Unemployment Rate: 8.1 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2016
December 2016: 8.9 percent
November 2016: 7.9 percent
October 2016: 7.2 percent
September: 8.2 percent
August 2016: 8.7 percent
July 2016: 9 percent
June 2016: 9.1 percent
May 2016: 7.5 percent
April 2016: 7.8 percent
March 2016: 8.1 percent
February 2o16: 8.1 percent
January 2016: 8.8 percent
2016 Annual Unemployment Rate: 8.3 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2015
December: 7.2 percent
November: 7 percent
October: 6.4 percent
September: 6.6 percent
August: 7.3 percent
July: 7.6 percent
June: 7.4 percent
May: 6.5 percent
April: 6.2 percent
March: 6.5 percent
February: 6.8 percent
January: 7.6 percent
2015 Annual Unemployment Rate: 6.9 percent
••••••
ADDITIONAL REGIONAL ECONOMIC STATISTICS
Also according to the Texas Workforce Commission, the four counties in the Rio Grande Valley have recorded the following monthly unemployment rates in 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015:
HIDALGO COUNTY
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2018
March: 6.9 percent
February: 7.1 percent
January: 7.6 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2017
December: 6.6 percent
November: 6.3 percent
October: 5.9 percent
September: 6.8 percent
August: 7.8 percent
July: 7.8 percent
June: 7.9 percent
May: 7 percent
April: 7.3 percent
March: 7.7 percent
February: 8.3 percent
January: 9 percent
The annual combined unemployment rate for all cities in Hidalgo County for 2o17 was 7.4 percent.
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2016
December: 8.2 percent
November: 7.5 percent
October: 7.1 percent
September: 7.9 percent
August: 8.3 percent
July: 8.5 percent
June: 8.4 percent
May: 7.1 percent
April: 7.2 percent
March: 7.7 percent
February: 7.7 percent
January: 8.1 percent
The annual combined unemployment rate for all cities in Hidalgo County for 2o16 was 7.8 percent.
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2015
December: 7.9 percent
November: 7.8 percent
October: 7.4 percent
September: 7.7 percent
August: 8.2 percent
July: 8.5 percent
June: 8.4 percent
May: 7.7 percent
April: 7.3 percent
March: 7.7 percent
February: 7.9 percent
January: 8.5 percent
The annual combined unemployment rate for all cities in Hidalgo County for 2o15 was 7.9 percent.
••••••
CAMERON COUNTY
March: 6.5 percent
February: 6.7 percent
January: 6.8 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2017
December: 5.9 percent
November: 5.9 percent
October: 5.8 percent
September: 6.4 percent
August: 7.2 percent
July: 7.2 percent
June: 7.5 percent
May: 6.6 percent
April: 6.8 percent
March: 7.2 percent
February: 7.8 percent
January: 8.2 percent
The annual combined unemployment rate for all cities in Cameron County for 2o17 was 6.9 percent.
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2016
December: 7.3 percent
November: 7 percent
October: 7 percent
September: 7.4 percent
August: 7.6 percent
July: 7.7 percent
June: 7.8 percent
May: 6.6 percent
April: 6.7 percent
March: 7 percent
February: 6.9 percent
January: 7.1 percent
The annual combined unemployment rate for all cities in Cameron County for 2o16 was 7.2 percent.
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2015
December: 6.8 percent
November: 6.9 percent
October: 6.7 percent
September: 6.7 percent
August: 7.1 percent
July: 7.4 percent
June: 7.5 percent
May: 7 percent
April: 6.8 percent
March: 7.2 percent
February: 7.4 percent
January: 8 percent
The annual combined unemployment rate in Cameron County for 2o15 was 7.1 percent.
Also for March 2018, there were 326,166 individuals employed in Hidalgo County, while 157,284 persons were employed in Cameron County during the same month.
••••••
STARR COUNTY
March: 10.8 percent
February: 11.4 percent
January: 12.2 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2017
December: 10.1 percent
November: 9.4 percent
October: 8.7 percent
September: 9.7 percent
August: 10.9 percent
July: 11.4 percent
June: 11.9 percent
May: 11 percent
April: 12.6 percent
March: 13.4 percent
February: 14.7 percent
January: 15.7 percent
The annual combined unemployment rate in Starr County for 2o17 was 11.7 percent.
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2016
December: 13.8 percent
November: 12.7 percent
October: 12.1 percent
September: 13.3 percent
August: 13.7 percent
July: 14 percent
June: 13.9 percent
May: 12.1 percent
April: 13.1 percent
March: 14 percent
February: 13.5 percent
January: 13.8 percent
The annual combined unemployment rate for all cities in Starr County for 2o16 was 13.3 percent.
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2015
December: 13.4 percent
November: 13.3 percent
October: 12.6 percent
September: 12.6 percent
August: 13.6 percent
July: 14.1 percent
June: 14.1 percent
May: 13.1 percent
April: 12.9 percent
March: 13.8 percent
February: 13.8 percent
January: 14.3 percent
The annual combined unemployment rate in Starr County for 2o15 was 13.5 percent.
••••••
WILLACY COUNTY
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2018
March: 11.1 percent
February: 11.4 percent
January: 11 percent
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2017
December: 9 percent
November: 8.8 percent
October: 8.9 percent
September: 9.6 percent
August: 11.1 percent
July: 12 percent
June: 11.7 percent
May: 11.3 percent
April: 11.7 percent
March: 12.1 percent
February: 12.5 percent
January: 12.9 percent
The annual combined unemployment rate in Willacy County for 2o17 was 11 percent.
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2016
December: 11.1 percent
November: 11.1 percent
October: 11.3 percent
September: 12.3 percent
August: 12.8 percent
July: 13.7 percent
June: 13.5 percent
May: 12.1 percent
April: 12.1 percent
March: 12.4 percent
February: 12.2 percent
January: 12.4 percent
The annual combined unemployment rate for all cities in Willacy County for 2o16 was 12.2 percent.
Monthly Unemployment Rate, 2015
December: 12 percent
November: 12.5 percent
October: 12.9 percent
September: 12.4 percent
August: 13.7 percent
July: 14.3 percent
June: 14.6 percent
May: 13.6 percent
April: 13.4 percent
March: 13.2 percent
February: 11.6 percent
January: 12.1 percent
The annual combined unemployment rate for all cities in Willacy County for 2o15 was 13 percent.
For March 2018, there were 23,650 individuals employed in Starr County, while during the same month, 5,614 persons were employed in Willacy County.
MORE DETAILED FIGURES ON NUMBER OF JOBS, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES FOR EDINBURG
More detailed information about the labor market and unemployment rates in Edinburg follows:
Edinburg 2016 Employment, By Month
December: 37,915
November: 37,704
October: 37,404
September: 37,124
August: 36,908
July: 36,569
June: 37,299
May: 37,635
April: 37,607
March: 37,447
February: 37,169
January: 36,776
Edinburg 2015 Employment, By Month
December: 35,984
November: 35,904
October: 35,530
September: 35,293
August: 35,108
July: 35,027
June: 35,683
May: 36,111
April: 35,872
March: 35,741
February: 35,544
January: 35,436
Edinburg 2014 Employment, By Month
December: 35,666
November: 35,686
October: 35,535
September: 35,173
August: 34,763
July: 34,611
June: 35,301
May: 35,529
April: 35,486
March: 35,301
February: 35,232
January: 35,049
Edinburg 2013 Employment, By Month
December: 35,099
November: 34,838
October: 34,323
September: 34,248
August: 33,921
July: 33,668
June: 34,249
May: 34,444
April: 34,495
March: 34,137
February: 34,121
January: 34,018
Edinburg Monthly Unemployment Rates, 2014
December: 4.7 percent
November: 5.2 percent
October: 5.5 percent
September: 5.7 percent
August: 6.4 percent
July: 6.7 percent
June: 6.5 percent
May: 5.8 percent
April: 5.2 percent
March: 5.9 percent
February: 6.2 percent
January: 6.2 percent
Annual Unemployment Rate: 5.8 percent
Edinburg Monthly Unemployment Rates, 2013
December: 6.1 percent
November: 6.4 percent
October: 7 percent
September: 7 percent
August: 7.2 percent
July: 7.6 percent
June: 7.7 percent
May: 7 percent
April: 6.4 percent
March: 6.9 percent
February: 7.2 percent
January: 7.3 percent
Annual Unemployment Rate: 7.0 percent.
Because of substantial methodology changes between 2004 and 2005 in estimating city unemployment statistics, Texas city data is not available prior to 2005, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.
Because of substantial methodology changes in geographic areas below the state level, data from 2005 and 2004 or earlier is not considered comparable, the state agency explains.
Effective in March 2015, the TWC also notes that “for all sub-state LAUS estimates, a break in series exists between December 2009 and January 2010 due to a change in methodology used. The use of caution is advised when comparing data from prior to 2010 to that of 2010-present.
The Texas Workforce Commission data on all entities in the state, including cities and counties, is available online at:
http://www.tracer2.com/cgi/dataanalysis/AreaSelection.asp?tableName=Labforce
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE CELEBRATES OPENING OF UT HEALTH RGV PEDIATRIC SPECIALITY OFFICE
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine hosted a grand opening of its UT Health RGV Pediatric Specialty office, Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 4150 Crosspoint Blvd. in Edinburg.
“This practice is a long time coming for our medical school,” Michael A. Patriarca, Executive Vice Dean for Finance and Administration, told a lobby of guests that included Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, Edinburg Mayor Richard Molina, Edinburg Mayor Pro Tem David Torres, and Councilmember Gilbert Enríquez.
“One of the primary missions of the School of Medicine is to bring to the community the much-needed subspecialties by bringing on board current doctors who are already in the Valley and bringing to the Valley those subspecialties that haven’t exist here,” Patriarca explained. “This clinic represents both.”
UT Health RGV Pediatric Specialty aims to close gaps in access to general and specialty care for children. Services include general pediatrics, pulmonary, developmental, environmental health, and metabolic and genetic disorders.
Until now, families have had to travel several hours north to Corpus Christi, Houston, or San Antonio to seek treatment for their children for some of these pediatric specialties.
Dr. Robert Nelson, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, said the UTRGV School of Medicine and UT Health RGV Pediatric Specialty will work with area pediatric practices to develop programs that will expand pediatric services to Valley children so families won’t have to travel outside the area for care.
“What matters to the health of your children is what matters to us,” Nelson said.
UT Health RGV Pediatric Specialty will also serve as a training site for its residents and medical students, he said.
Molina, the Edinburg mayor, expressed the community’s excitement about the pediatrics practice bringing much-needed care to the region.
“Families are not going to have to travel anymore to Corpus Christi or San Antonio or Houston,” he said. “Now they can come to UT Health RGV Pediatric Specialty Clinic and get the very best medical care close to home. As your mayor, I couldn’t be more proud to say, it’s one more step toward a healthier community.”
The office includes:
• 27 exam rooms, which include eight pediatric exam rooms and one procedure room.
• Reception area.
• Waiting area.
• Nurses’ station.
• Physicians’ work area.
• Conference room.
• Laboratory.
• Injection prep room.
• Two private consulting rooms.
• Restrooms.
• Storage.
• A staff break room.
The grand opening included a ribbon cutting ceremony and tours of the facility.
••••••
Jennifer Berghom contributed to this article. For more information on the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation and the City of Edinburg, please log on to http://edinburgedc.com
