Project Vida Health Center and Health Foundation: A Partnership Transforming Mental Health Access in the Region

In response to the critical shortage of mental health providers in the El Paso region, Project Vida Health Center (PVHC) launched a groundbreaking Community-Based Psychiatry Residency Program, made possible through a vital partnership with the Paso del Norte Health Foundation. This collaboration exemplifies a shared commitment to expanding access to quality behavioral health care in underserved border communities.

Project Vida, a Federally Qualified Health Center with over 50 years of service in El Paso and Hudspeth Counties, has long been a cornerstone for integrated medical and behavioral health services tailored to low-income and uninsured populations. Recognizing the urgent need for culturally competent psychiatric care, PVHC developed a residency program to train psychiatrists, emphasizing bilingual and bicultural competence essential for the U.S.-Mexico border region.

The residency program’s design reflects a comprehensive, team-based approach to mental health care, integrating primary care, substance use recovery, and community outreach. Under the leadership of Dr. Cynthia E. Garza, a bilingual, double board-certified psychiatrist and licensed attorney, PVHC’s residency planning committee crafted a curriculum aligned with American College of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) standards while focusing on the social determinants of health unique to border populations.

A pivotal factor in bringing this vision to life was the generous grants of $480,000 from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation since 2022. This funding supported faculty recruitment, curriculum development, and program infrastructure during the critical early years, helping PVHC secure ACGME accreditation in July 2023. Tracy Yellen, CEO of the Health Foundation, emphasized the importance of this support in increasing the number of mental health providers and reducing stigma around mental illness in the region.

The program welcomed its inaugural cohort of three psychiatry residents in July 2024, each bringing a passion for serving vulnerable populations and a commitment to culturally informed care. This summer, three more residents will be joining the program. More than 80 percent of their clinical training occurs at PVHC sites, immersing residents in an integrated care model that addresses complex mental health needs across urban and rural communities.

This residency program is a model for how community health centers can lead in graduate medical education, demonstrating that impactful psychiatric training can thrive outside traditional hospital settings. By focusing on retaining psychiatrists in the border region, PVHC is building a sustainable behavioral health workforce equipped to meet the area’s unique challenges. As Dr. Beatriz Deras, one of the first residents, reflects, “Project Vida and this residency program are committed to shaping psychiatrists who are not only skilled and knowledgeable but also empathetic and devoted to making a meaningful impact in the El Paso community”. Project Vida Health Center is answering the call to transform mental health care on the border by training the next generation of psychiatrists to serve with cultural sensitivity, clinical excellence, and a deep connection to the community.

For more information about the residency program, visit Project Vida’s website or contact Dr. Cynthia Garza at c.garza@pvida.net.