The Lower Rio Grande Valley - Area Health Education Center (LRGV AHEC) was established in 1990 as a health-care-professional training program for Rio Grande Valley health clinics.  As the number of students and health care professional preceptors grew, LRGV AHEC expanded its program and offered low-cost housing for students coming from other parts of the country.  LRGV AHEC established a reputation as a community education and dissemination agency with first-hand knowledge of the community needs.  LRGV AHEC leadership helped establish pipeline programs that connect high school and college students into the health care professions.  Today, LRGV AHEC serves as health professional education program as part of the Texas Certified, South Texas Promotora Institute.  LRGV AHEC has enhanced the continued education programs for health care professionals through collaborative efforts with local schools, universities, and many other organizations.

 In 2018, LRGV AHEC will introduce the South Texas AHEC Scholars program which is an Inter-professional community-based education and practice program aimed to transform practice in rural and other underserved settings.