The first scholarship recipient of the Cecilia Garcia Akers Endowed Professorship in Physical Therapy was recognized on October 29, 2013 at the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston to Erynn Frenckak. Pictured with Erynn is Dr. Elizabeth Protas, Dean of School of Health Professions, and Cecilia Garcia Akers and Jim Akers. The scholarship is in memory of Dr. Hector and Wanda Garcia.

Roughly 200 people attended a viewing of Justice For My People a documentary on American GI Forum founder and civil rights leader Dr. Hector P. Garcia on Monday night at the University of Texas-Pan American. 

A panel discussion at the screening featured Garcia's daughter Cecilia Garcia-Akers, who talked about his life and legacy, and Dr. Maritza De La Trinidad, assistant professor of history, who described briefly the history of Hispanic civil rights activism in the U.S. The event was organized and moderated by Mexican American Studies student Alan Padilla. The audience, which included a large contingent of Elsa-Edcouch High School students, also heard from Dr. Francisco Guajardo, UTPA associate professor of educational leadership.

The Hector P. Garcia 2013 Cultural Competence Awards Ceremony was held on October 7 at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Tx.

The Hector P. Garcia, M.D. Cultural Competence Award honors his legacy of commitment and service by recognizing a current UTMB student of medicine, nursing, allied health sciences or graduate biomedical sciences who best exemplifies Dr. Garcia’s commitment to quality health care for all.

Ariel M. Morrow, studying Clinical Laboratory Sciences at the UTMB School of Health Professions, wrote the winning essay for 2013.

Join us at the University of Texas - Pan American Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration on September 30, 2013. Special guest speaker will be Cecilia Garcia Akers. There will also be a screening of the film Justice For My People.