The school is named after Dennis D. Cantu, a local physician, and member of the LISD Board of Trustees.

The school offers Pre-AP and AP (Advance Placement) courses in Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, and specialized courses including medical microbiology, pathophysiology, anatomy & physiology, clinical nutrition, mental health, medical terminology, pharmacology, and Health Science Technology.

[1] Selection criteria include: At the completion of the curriculum the students are eligible to sit for examinations to become Certified Nursing Assistants, Medical Office Assistants, and Emergency Medical Technicians.

Students rotate at several local hospitals including Laredo Medical Center to gain proficiency in performing basic medical skills and complement classroom learning.

Some specialty courses such as Anatomy and Physiology may satisfy pre-requisite for nursing and other health science majors at Laredo Community College.