White Coat Ceremony for Hunt School of Nursing’s First-Ever Summer Cohort

Hunt School of Nursing presented 26 new students with white coats and stethoscopes during National Nurses Month

These nursing students were dressed to heal.

As part of its ongoing celebration of National Nurses Month, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso hosted a white coat ceremony Tuesday, May 22, for the Hunt School of Nursing's inaugural summer cohort. The event marked a progressive step in the university's mission to increase health care access along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The white coat ceremony takes place as TTUHSC El Paso celebrates its 10th-anniversary. The university is celebrating a decade of educating future nurses and meeting local health care demands by growing our own health care professionals dedicated to delivering world-class patient care.

“By introducing the summer term, we're increasing enrollment and, in turn, providing a robust response to the critical nursing shortage in our region,” said Stephanie Woods, Ph.D., R.N., dean of the Hunt School of Nursing. “Our mission has always been to cultivate homegrown talent and this move reinforces our dedication to this cause.”

During the ceremony, 26 nursing students began their journey as part of the only accelerated B.S.N. program in the region. The 16-month curriculum is designed to equip students for rewarding, high-income careers in our Borderplex hospitals. Local students comprise most of the summer cohort, with 24 of the 26 hailing from the El Paso region.

Symbolizing their entry into the noble profession, each student was presented with a white coat, representing compassion and humility, and a stethoscope, emblematic of the scientific foundation of their upcoming training.

Two local students, Kayla Reyna and Jennifer Gonzalez, were among the new cohort. Both students shared their commitment to serving the region's underserved communities.

Gonzalez, an El Paso native, was set on joining the rest of her family by pursuing a career in education. However, when her father needed someone to care for him following back surgery, Gonzalez discovered her true calling.

"I decided to change my degree plan and began to take courses in nursing," said Gonzalez. "It has been a journey getting here today and participating in this white coat ceremony. I look forward to serving and supporting my community in their health care needs."

Like Gonzalez, Reyna was motivated by a personal experience. As a young child growing up in El Paso, she witnessed her mother experiencing a medical emergency at home. She knew to call 911, which she did, and waited anxiously for first responders to arrive and attend to her mother. Reyna, however, despite her quick thinking to seek help immediately, wanted to do more.

"Since then, I never wanted to feel helpless in a medical emergency again," said Reyna. "Not only did I want to help my mom anyway possible but also others. I’ll always do my absolute best to help those in need."

Both Gonzalez and Reyna are excited to begin their nursing careers and make a difference in the lives of others.

For both students, El Paso is not just a hometown; it's a community they’re deeply attached to and eager to serve. The decision to study locally was part of their dedication to become health care change agents for our Borderplex region.

About the Hunt School of Nursing

The Hunt School of Nursing features a curriculum for cross-disciplinary collaboration, preparing its students to work in clinical teams alongside physicians. The school’s curriculum also prepares students for leadership positions in hospitals and clinics. It’s home to the only accelerated program in the region where students earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in just 16 months.

Since opening in 2011, more than 1,000 nurses have graduated from the Hunt School of Nursing, with the majority staying in the region. As a result, the number of registered nurses in the county has increased by 45%.

About Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso

TTUHSC El Paso is the only health sciences center on the U.S.-Mexico border and serves 108 counties in West Texas that have been historically underserved. It’s a designated Title V Hispanic-Serving Institution, preparing the next generation of health care heroes, 48% of whom identify as Hispanic and are often first-generation students.

Established as an independent university in the Texas Tech University System in 2013, TTUHSC El Paso is celebrating 10 years as a proudly diverse and uniquely innovative destination for education and research. According to a 2022 analysis, TTUHSC El Paso contributes $634.4 million annually to our Borderplex region’s economy.

With a mission of eliminating health care barriers and creating life-changing educational opportunities for Borderplex residents, TTUHSC El Paso has graduated over 2,000 doctors, nurses and researchers over the past decade, and will add dentists to its alumni beginning in 2025. For more information, visit www.ttuhscepimpact.com.