The Texas A&M Health Science Center Coastal Bend Health Education Center, located in Corpus Christi, Texas, serves as a key resource for the Coastal Bend, providing health education for medical professionals and the greater community. Established in 1999 through Senate Bill 590, the Coastal Bend Health Education Center is committed to improving the quality of healthcare in the Coastal Bend by advancing the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals, students and the community through partnerships in education, research, and technology. The center provides continuing medical education opportunities for health professionals, supports programs designed to foster recruitment into health-related professions, aids residents in meeting current healthcare needs related to diabetes and medication assistance and participates in community outreach efforts throughout its 19-county service area.

Programs

Continuing Medical & Pharmacy Education

The Continuing Medical and Pharmacy Education programs support practicing physicians and pharmacists in acquiring the knowledge necessary to provide optimum patient care on health related topics of specific concern to the Coastal Bend area. The program offers several conferences each year, including an annual Diabetes Conference, where continuing education credit hours are awarded.

Diabetes Education

The Diabetes Education program provides education regarding treatment and care for diabetes patients and their families. In addition to weekly classes in English and Spanish, the diabetes education team helps people managing diabetes with a yearlong testing program that monitors their progress. Community events also help educate class participants so they can make wise decisions in grocery stores, while cooking and in restaurants.

Health Careers

The Health Careers Program is committed to recruiting students into healthcare careers and to providing educational events related to healthcare occupations and professions. The Coastal Bend Health Education Center supports career clubs at middle school and high schools across the Coastal Bend and holds an annual Health Careers Discovery Camp.

Medication Assistance

The Medication Assistance program aids clients in completing pharmaceutical applications that offer free or low-cost medications through their assistance programs.