TITLE: Recognizing Anabell Cardona and the Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies for receiving an Institutional Catalyst Award.

SUMMARY: Recognizing Anabell Cardona and the Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies for receiving an Institutional Catalyst Award.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Anabell Cardona, the president and chief executive officer of Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies, which recently received the Teach for America Institutional Catalyst Award; and WHEREAS, Anabell Cardona began operating Valley Grande Institute of Weslaco in 2001, and in 2007, the school was renamed Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies; the school's vocational nursing program had served as the foundation of the institute since its opening in 1992, and Anabell Cardona devoted herself to expanding the school's offerings with new instructors and facilities and with allied health programs in medical assisting, medical insurance and billing, and patient care; and WHEREAS, Over the years, the institute has continued to grow and attract talented students and staff from across the Rio Grande Valley and beyond; regarded as an excellent learning institution that trains students to become outstanding medical professionals, the school now occupies 50,000 square feet of space in four buildings and is located in downtown Weslaco; and WHEREAS, In 2020, the institute was awarded a grant by South Texas Health Systems that was used to upgrade equipment and for staff development and training; in December of 2022, the institute and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley partnered to support the statewide need for medical professionals by training students from the institute at regional hospitals and medical facilities; students can receive a stipend while working at the university's clinical sites, and under the supervision of the university's educators and staff, students will develop skills and gain valuable experience while contributing to the region's health care workforce; and WHEREAS, Imbued with an uncompromising work ethic and a commitment to upholding high standards, Anabell Cardona has demonstrated to her community that achieving one's goals is within reach through hard work and dedication; her efforts have empowered countless students in the Rio Grande Valley to pursue knowledge and to prepare for rewarding careers, and it is truly fitting that she receive special recognition on her many contributions to higher learning and to the field of medicine in Texas; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby commend Anabell Cardona on her outstanding leadership of Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies and extend to her and to the institution's faculty, staff, and students congratulations on the school's receipt of the Institutional Catalyst Award and best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for her as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Hinojosa President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 10, 2023.