In 1991, Texas State President Dr. Jerry Supple created Exploring Posts at then Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) to give students real-world, hands-on experience beyond the classroom. While other exploring units faded, the Medical Explorers program evolved, becoming more academically focused while keeping its strong foundation. That balance is what sets it apart today.
From Vision to Lasting Impact
Our Scouting Foundation
Our connection to Scouting America provides more than structure, it provides a foundation of values. At its core is the Scout Law, twelve principles that reflect trust, respect, and responsibility. We view these not as “Scout Values,” but as essential "Professional Values" for health professionals, alongside reliability, compassion, and professionalism.
Words That Define Our Character
At the core of our program is a focus on character. Through our connection with Scouting America, we draw from the Scout Law, which are a set of 12 principles that describe the kind of person others can trust, respect, and depend on.
These 12 words reflect how you treat patients, work with colleagues, and carry yourself in challenging situations. Make these words part of your character and you'll retire someday as a loved and respected friend, spouse, provider, and colleague. That should be your objective in life!
The twelve principles are:
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1. Trustworthy
Omega Leo Medical Explorers keep their word (are reliable). Patients, those we serve, and co-workers can depend upon them. Their fellow Medical Explorers can depend upon them to do what they say they will do. Reliability is the first character trait we must focus on as new Medical Explorers. It impacts both our training and volunteer programs.
Trust is an essential characteristic of good leaders. We look forward to all of our members becoming strong leaders, as Medical Explorers and the reaminder of their health career.
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2. Loyal
Omega Leo Medical Explorers care about their family, friends, leaders, university, and country. They value connections and their network of support. Our training and volunteer program is intensive, so our members must have a laser-sharp focus on all that we do. While we respect other organizations that may be available for college students to participate in, gaining all that one can from what we offer may require a member to focus their attention and loyalty toward this organization, especially when serving as an officer or liaison. To be listed among our “superstars” will require a member to minimize distractions. As an officer or liaison, you will have significant responsibility.
We see our Omega Leo Medical Explorers as helping make Texas State University a safer university. Our members are proud of their university and have reached out to other health organizations to share our training resources. Many of our Medical Explorers are fully certified CPR/First-Aid instructors. We're a certified CPR/First-Aid Training Center for more than one of the leading certification agencies. Our CPR instructors teach other on-campus organizations, off-campus community groups, and throughout Central Texas.
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3. Helpful
Omega Leo Medical Explorers volunteer to help others without expecting a reward. They know that they are entering a “helping” profession. Our Omega Leo Medical Explorers have obligations to others within our communities through our volunteer activities. Medical Explorers is a volunteer medical organization and is known for helping our university and Hays County community where needed. We must meet those obligations to maintain our helpful reputation.
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4. Friendly
Omega Leo Medical Explorers are friends to everyone, including those very different from themselves. They respect those differences and try to better understand our different perspectives. As future health professionals, our members know that they must serve all who seek their care with the same respect and professional service. Differences are to be invisible, and the same quality of care must be provided to all.
There is a serious problem in healthcare known as equity. Omega Leo Medical Explorers learn to fight equity issues and serve every patient with the same friendly and quality service. Quality care begins with being friendly. Having emotional intelligence and a good bedside manner will help ensure a high score concerning patient satisfaction. Omega Leo Medical Explorers learn to see each patient not just as a diagnosis but as a person, which they feel a responsibility to help.
Omega Leo Medical Explorers learn that they do not need to be the smartest person in the room to be seen as a great health professional. An empathic presence and human connection will go a long way in instilling confidence and appreciation among their patients and family.
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5. Courteous
Omega Leo Medical Explorers are polite to everyone; including patients, family, and co-workers. They understand that there is no room for arrogance. They understand the fragility of medical knowledge, and that as soon as one thinks they know all the answers, something new will come along to change everything we know. Medical Explorers are open to new ways of thinking and respect others.
No one wants to be known as the “arrogant” provider. Healthcare demands a functioning team to best serve their patients. The team requires a focus on curteous interactions among all team members.
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6. Kind
Omega Leo Medical Explorers treat others as they would like to be treated. Kindness begins with good communication. Omega Leo Medical Explorers have special volunteer opportunities to foster good communication skills they will need as health professionals. Kindness is a character trait we value greatly.
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7. Obedient
Omega Leo Medical Explorers follow the rules and laws of our country. They understand and respect the acceptable standards of medical professional practice. Medical Explorers understand the purpose behind a defined “scope of practice.” That's the rules we use when treating patients.
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8. Cheerful
Omega Leo Medical Explorers look for the bright side of life, are optimistic about life and medicine, and strive to help others be happy. They are optimistic about the future developments within medical practice. Having a positive attitude is an important precursor to being cheerful. Hope is an important part of being positive. Omega Leo Medical Explorers learn the importance of hope for their patients and families.
Medical Explorers know that they are in a business where all outcomes are not “cheerful.” They understand when to show compassion and concern for patients and their families in times of crisis. But, they also know they must carry-on and find a measure of cheerfulness when moving to the next patient.
But now the difficult part - Medical Explorers are learning ways to not let events get them down. Personal-care is important for future health professionals, and we don't want our members to fall victim to “burn-out.” We have parts of our program that help our future health professionals deal with issues of this type. Any Medical Explorer disturbed by what they see should seek the help we have avilable. Please.
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9. Thrifty
Omega Leo Medical Explorers value much that is around them. They use resources wisely. They see scarcity in medicine in times of great need and understand how to ration resources effectively for the greater good.
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10. Brave
Omega Leo Medical Explorers face difficult situations head-on with courage. They strive to do the right thing. Advanced parts of our training program are designed to prepare Omega Leo Medical Explorers with knowledge of rapidly occurring medical advances and the advantages they will have by staying current in this research. The connection between knowledge and bravery becomes a part of each Omega Leo Medical Explorer’s character.
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11. Clean
Omega Leo Medical Explorers respect their body and mind. They know how to protect against pathogens in their medical environment and society. They see first-hand the damage others do to their bodies and lives through poor health behaviors.
We're hopeful that our Medical Explorers develop strong and protective health behaviors and will serve as role models for their future patients.
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12. Reverent
Omega Leo Medical Explorers understand the importance of a spiritual life. They respect life and good health in themselves and others. They see themselves as part of something greater than themselves and work hard to protect the sanctity of life. They understand the importance of spiritual matters to patients and their families, and they strive to help in times of grief.
Even if not spiritual themselves, they respect the spiritual nature and faith of others, especially patients and their families. They know the connection between showing compassion for their patients and the respect for their patient’s spiritual nature. They further understand the relationship between their patient’s spiritual perspective and the potential and determination for recovery from serious illness.
To these, we emphasize three additional qualities that are especially important in healthcare:
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1. Reliable
Omega Leo Medical Explorers learn quickly that they must adopt reliability as a essential part of their character. Health professionals must be reliable. Patients and co-workers must be able to rely upon any health professional. There is no room for unreliable health professionals. Please be aware that this is a very important word to our program. This is the almost universal complaint received from hospitals and medical offices when we visit with volunteer coordinators and practice managers – previous college-age volunteers and shadows were no-shows and did not bother to tell anyone they were not coming.
The lack of reliability is the first expressd obstacle we must overcome in the placement of our Omega Leo Medical Explorers in many of our more intensive volunteer opportunities. This includes internal and external training and volunteer opportunities. We understand the ocassional emergency, but inexcusable no-shows cannot be tolerated and will not be useful to continuation as a Medical Explorer. Omega Leo Medical Explorers must be reliable when registering for training and volunteer service.
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2. Compassionate
Omega Leo Medical Explorers learn that they are entering a career where compassion makes the difference between a good or bad healthcare provider. Understanding how their future patients and families depend upon them for human kindness and empathy will make them a successful and loved healthcare provider. We have special volunteer opportunities where our members quickly learn the value of compassion.
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3. Professional
Omega Leo Medical Explorers know the importance of “looking like” a professional. They understand expectations of patients, family, and co-workers for the respect that comes from their actions, manners, and dress. Sloppiness has no place in healthcare. We expect our Omega Leo Medical Explorers to look and act like a professional before they begin their professional academic program.
When serving as volunteers in a clinical setting, Medical Explorers must look “professional.” Patients expect no less!
Why These Words Matter
Healthcare is built on trust, responsibility, and human connection. Technical skill alone is not enough. Patients and colleagues depend on individuals who show consistency, empathy, and professionalism in every interaction.
Students who fully engage with this program do more than build experience, they develop these qualities over time. The result is not just a more prepared student, but a more capable and respected future professional.
What This Means for Future Health Professionals
These words are not just ideals, they are strong expectations.
They guide how Medical Explorers approach their training, volunteer work, and their role within our program. If a prospective Medical Explorer is willing to grow into these qualities, they will gain far more than technical experience, they will develop the foundation needed for a successful career in healthcare.
For Our Community Health Professional Partners
Think about it. Medical Explorers who have made these words a part of their character are the future helth workers you would want as colleagues. Help us shape the future of healthcare. Help us help grow the next generation - colleagues you would want to work beside on your team.