Nestled along the Texas Gulf Coast, about 70 miles south of Corpus Christi, the tiny town of Sarita is home to fewer than 50 residents. Known for its rural charm and quiet landscape, the town has long been missing one essential service — a local medical clinic. Now, thanks to a partnership between Texas A&M University’s student-led BUILD program and the College of Medicine, that gap has been filled. For the first time, residents of Sarita and the surrounding areas of Kenedy County no longer have to travel long distances or wait hours to receive basic medical care thanks to the Texas Aggie Medical Clinic (TAMC) initiative

The new medical facility in Sarita is part of the Texas Aggie Medical Clinic (TAMC) initiative — a program that transforms 40-foot shipping containers into fully functional medical clinics. Designed and constructed by Texas A&M students and volunteers, each container includes a waiting room, a private treatment area, and a lab testing room. Outfitted with donated surplus medical supplies and equipment, these compact but powerful clinics are equipped to meet a wide range of healthcare needs.

 

 

What sets this project apart is its purpose. Every TAMC is built in honor of a fallen Aggie and represents a legacy of selfless service. The BUILD program launched in 2013 with the 12 for 12 Campaign, a tribute to the 12 Texas A&M students who lost their lives in the tragic 1999 Bonfire collapse. From 2014 to 2016, the first TAMCs were constructed and sent to underserved communities around the world — including Haiti, Guatemala, Iraq, Cambodia, and Jordan. Since then, 52 clinics have been built and deployed to 22 countries across five continents. The project has involved more than 15,000 student volunteers, each contributing their time and skills to help bring vital healthcare access to those in need. The Sarita clinic marks the latest chapter in this ongoing mission — and the first time one of these clinics has been placed in Texas.

 

 

The impact is already being felt. With the Sarita Texas Aggie Medical Clinic (TAMC) now open, approximately 400 people in Kenedy County can access medical care close to home. No more long drives, no more waiting hours for treatment. And with mental health services now offered through Texas A&M’s Telehealth Institute, the clinic offers a more complete scope of care than ever before.

Sarita’s clinic stands as a symbol of what can happen when innovation, compassion, and community service come together — and serves as a shining example of Texas A&M’s commitment to improving lives not just in Texas, but around the world. You can read more about it HERE.

 

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