Since 1969, we have graduated more than 3,700 physicians. Our original charter by the 61st Texas Legislature was to place more physicians in West Texas, an area of the state where many counties had none. At that time, there was only one physician for every 1,300 residents or more across the region. Today, we are proud that more than 20 percent of the practicing physicians in West Texas graduated from our medical school and/or residency programs, and there is now one physician for every 750 people. In 2010, we launched the Family Medicine Accelerated Track, which enables students an option to graduate in three years. The first program of its kind in the country, this educational initiative begins to address the growing need for primary care physicians.


Our departments conduct research and foster scientific discovery that translate into better health solutions. From aging, cancer, diabetes, addiction, and infectious diseases – just to name a few – the School of Medicine’s strategy to enhance research programs is through supporting the faculty, students, residents, and staff with every available professional resource and expertise. A major initiative for the school is to provide quality lab space, recruit creative, innovative research faculty, and to develop graduate students and postdoctoral fellows for lifelong careers in medical research.


Texas Tech Physicians is the largest group practice in West Texas with more than 450 full-time clinical faculty. The wide range of specialties and sub-specialties comprising the practice allow us to touch the lives of more than 224,000 patients each year.


I hope you share with me in the excitement of the many changes and positive efforts being made to make the School of Medicine a premier place to work, study, and receive the latest medical care and treatment in West Texas!