By DIANTÉ MARIGNY
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com
Robyn Dunkin, a 45-year-old Health Information Technology student at Texas State Technical College (TSTC), brought home a gold medal in medical terminology at the 2025 SkillsUSA Texas Postsecondary Leadership and Skills Conference held April 2-5 in Corpus Christi.
The competition brought together hundreds of students from across the state, representing both high school and postsecondary institutions. Dunkin competed by taking a rigorous exam that tested knowledge in medical terminology and technical math.
“I absolutely had no expectations of winning,” Dunkin said. “We were just going for the experience. It was good exposure, and I was excited to see what SkillsUSA was all about.”
Dunkin, who recently returned to school after 22 years as a stay-at-home mom, was invited to participate in the competition by one of her instructors in the Health Information Technology program at TSTC. The gold medal marks a major milestone in her academic journey—and her life.
Two years ago, Dunkin lost her husband. It was a turning point that led her to reconsider her future. Though she earned a bachelor’s degree in English at 21, she didn’t pursue teaching. Instead, she was drawn to
healthcare—not in direct patient care, but in the behind-the-scenes work of health information management, coding, and billing.
“It’s my first semester back in school, and it’s been a lot of work,” she said. “I had to learn how to study again, especially with everything being online—Zoom meetings, virtual labs, meeting with teachers—it’s very different. But I’ve always enjoyed school.”
Dunkin has lived in Laguna Vista for 22 years. Her children and extended family have been “super supportive” of her decision to go back to school. “You’re never too old to start over,” she said. “Don’t let the voices in your head discourage you from trying something new and different.”
Winning gold at the state level qualifies Dunkin to compete at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, which will be held June 23–27 in Atlanta, Georgia. Gold medalists from each state will compete for national honors and may be eligible for scholarships based on their placement.
SkillsUSA is a national organization that supports students preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations. With more than 100 contests ranging from animation to welding, the organization emphasizes leadership, technical proficiency, and employability.
Dunkin is on track to earn her associate degree in Health Information Technology, with hopes of entering the workforce in medical coding and health data management. “This has opened a lot of doors,” she said. “I’m just
excited to see where it takes me.”
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