The next generation of Borderland medical students was introduced thanks to a partnership between the University of Texas at El Paso and Texas Tech Health El Paso.
The six seniors who represent the fourth MedFuture group selected from area high schools were introduced during an event on Wednesday, June 17, at Texas Western Hall on the UTEP campus. As part of the program, they will receive extensive pre-medical support while completing their undergraduate curriculum at UTEP. That includes research in biological sciences.
They will join the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech Health El Paso following their graduation.
This year’s class includes:
“Being from a border city, not many resources are available to us, so having MedFuture really helped guide me,” said Rodriguez, who is a first-generation college student. “I expect to do internships where I hope to get more hands-on experience. I didn’t expect to go into the medical field, but I would say to take a chance and always be compassionate since it goes a long way in the medical field.”
MedFuture competitive program across Borderland
The selection process included a joint committee from both universities that examined academic merit, commitment to medicine and potential for success in medical school as the standards. A total of 63 students from 25 area high schools applied for the program.
“This started as a conversation to create a pathway to educate more doctors from West Texas,” UTEP President Heather Wilson said. “What resulted was a joint pathway (with Texas Tech Health El Paso) for the best students in the area to go to the two best universities in Texas. We have over 30 students a year getting accepted to medical school. These days, one in three choose the Foster School of Medicine.”
Wilson noted that such pipelines fill a need for medical professionals in underserved areas such as the Borderland.
Among the requirements for the program, aside from fulfilling the pre-medical curriculum, is participation in the New Scholar Orientation at UTEP and the MedFuture orientation.
“Students here have an opportunity to attend an outstanding university (at UTEP) in their city and that’s not always possible,” said Richard Lang, M.D., president of Texas Tech Health El Paso. “Combine that with a medical school curriculum at the Foster School of Medicine that is the best in North America and we’re at the front of medical education.”
Texas Tech Health El Paso serves 108 counties in West Texas after being established in 2013. They offer medical, nursing, biomedical science and dental education, which has led to more than 2,600 healthcare professionals graduating from the institution over the past decade.
Kristian Jaime is the Top Story Reporter for the El Paso Times and is reachable at Kjaime@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UTEP, Texas Tech bolster next generation of region’s medical students
Reporting by Kristian Jaime, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kristian Jaime, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
