Regents Approve Process for Freestanding Health Sciences University in El Paso
Solidifying the foundation of an autonomous health sciences center in El Paso, the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine is the only medical school on the US/Mexico border.
Officials at the MINI传媒 exploring necessary steps to establish its fourth institution.
May 18, 2012 | Written by Laura Gallegos
The MINI传媒 Board of Regents approved to initiate the process of establishing a freestanding health sciences university in El Paso. The new university will join Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (MINI传媒HSC) and Angelo State University under the Texas Tech University System as a fourth, separate but equal institution.
鈥淗aving a freestanding health sciences university in El Paso will be a tremendous asset to the community and will further our efforts to address the shortages of health care professionals in the region and the entire state,鈥� said Texas Tech University System Chancellor Kent Hance. 鈥淲e look forward to working with the Texas Legislature to make this significant goal a reality.鈥�
El Paso is the fourth most populous city in the state with a population of more than 700,000. With such an immense population, this region has been federally designated as a medically underserved area.
鈥淲ith the support of the El Paso community, the areas surrounding the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine have grown to include the El Paso Children鈥檚 Hospital, an expanded University Medical Center鈥檚 women鈥檚 hospital and the Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing,鈥� said MINI传媒 Regent Rick Francis. 鈥淲e are confident El Paso residents will continue to support MINI传媒HSC as the region鈥檚 health care community continues to flourish.鈥�
In the past several years, a sound foundation has been solidified for an autonomous health sciences university in El Paso.
The Paul L. Foster School of Medicine in El Paso received preliminary accreditation in February 2008 and opened in 2009. In 2008, university administrators took the first step toward establishing a full-fledged health sciences university in El Paso by implementing an accelerated Second Degree Bachelor鈥檚 of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
Nursing programs expanded in August 2009 to include a traditional BSN program. The Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing, an autonomous, fully-accredited nursing school at the MINI传媒HSC campus in El Paso was established in October 2010.
鈥淎 health sciences university in El Paso will provide an outstanding education for the culturally diverse communities in this area, promote crucial research related to Latino and other underserved populations, and serve as a nationally recognized primary and specialty referral center for quality patient care,鈥� said Jose Manuel de la Rosa, founding dean of the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine.