Recruitment

Programs for Younger Students

Project IMPACT: In cooperation with the El Paso Independent School District, the Texas Tech Hispanic Center of Excellence has developed a summer enrichment program for gifted and talented elementary school students residing in inner city neighborhoods. A computer-based, medicine-rich curriculum has been developed to use health care topics as the focus for intense educational exercises in mathematics, science, social studies, and personal development. The curriculum for this program can be reviewed on the web. http://kohlberg.episd.org/impact.html A special feature of the program is that high school students drawn from the District’s magnet school for the health sciences will participate as mentors and educational assistants. The program thus provides academic encouragement not only for the younger student but also for the older, achievement oriented college candidate. Plans are already underway to expand the program into other schools within the District.

Programs for High School Students

Summer Pre-Med Camp: This program has been developed for promising younger high school students with an interest in careers in medicine. High schools within the El Paso metropolitan area are asked to nominate participants for the program. Selected students are then brought together at the Texas Tech Medical Center in El Paso where they use the format of Problem Based Learning (PBL) to develop their diagnostic and problem-solving skills using real-life clinical vignettes. They visit interesting clinical activities and have a chance to talk with young physicians, medical students, and others about their career choices. They even learn some of the test-taking strategies needed to be successful with the SAT and other qualifying examinations. Requests for nomination for this program usually go out in January, and selections are made by April for six one-week sessions during the following summer. If you would like more information about this program, or if you would like to receive application materials, call Ms. Angie Martinez-Rodriguez directly at the Office of Border Health (915-545-6550) or contact her by e-mail Angie.Rodriguez@ttuhsc.edu

A Journey into Higher Education: This program gives high school students in the El Paso metropolitan area an opportunity to visit a college campus for two days and to learn first-hand what is needed to go to college. For many of the students, this experience represents the first time that they have ever been away from El Paso. Many of them, too, have never seen a college campus. Students ride a bus from El Paso to the Texas Tech campus in Lubbock. There they stay in a residential hall and eat dormitory food. They have opportunities to meet and engage college and medical students, professors and practicing physicians. They sit in on lectures in big university lecture halls and learn about the many steps required for the admissions process. Students return from these activities with many new found friends and a new perspective on their future opportunities. Schools in the El Paso area are asked to nominate participants in February of the year preceding the trip in May. If you would like more information about this program, or if you would like to receive application materials, call Mr. Jim Hastings directly at the Office of Border Health (915-545-6550) or contact him by e-mail at Robert.Hastings@ttuhsc.edu

Clinical Internships for Magnet High School Students: The Office of Border Health works closely with the health careers magnet programs in the El Paso region. Students from Silva and Socorro High Schools have rotations in the clinics and other health care facilities of Texas Tech at El Paso. Although each program is structured differently, each affords the high school student an opportunity to see first hand the process of patient care in an outpatient setting. Students work directly with nurses, physicians, and medical students in these programs. The students also receive instruction on the steps in the process of becoming a physician. These programs are administered through the counseling services of the individual high schools. For information about admission and participation, one should contact those schools directly. If you have other questions or if you would like to talk with us about these programs, please contact Ms. Angie Martinez-Rodriguez Angie.Rodriguez@ttuhsc.edu

Programs for College Students

Clinical Shadowing for Pre-Medical Students at the University of Texas at El Paso: Students who participate in the Program in Pre-Medicine at the University of Texas at El Paso http://www.utep.edu/ are eligible for this year-long activity. At the beginning of each academic year, medical students from Texas Tech at El Paso and undergraduate students from UTEP are invited to an evening social activity to meet one another and to discuss medical education and the life of the physician. Students are also invited to participate in the shadowing activity. Undergraduate and medical students are assigned as pairs for the following academic year. During that time, the undergraduate student will make arrangements with the medical student to visit clinics and observe activities in the life of the medical student. All of this happens with the approval of the attending faculty as well as the institutional administration. Patient confidentiality is always preserved in compliance with institutional and federal guidelines. Students often get together for coffee or to share a meal. During these occasions, it is possible for the undergraduate student to learn about the experiences of the medical student and to gain some insights about what is needed to be a successful medical school applicant. This program has been very popular, and the students have often established excellent friendships and working relationships. For more information about this program, contact Ms. Joyce Palmer Joyce.Palmer@ttuhsc.edu

Texas Tech Summer Premedical Academy (SPA): This program provides an intensive six-week experience for promising college students with an interest in medical careers. SPA is a residential program in which students live in the residence halls at Texas Tech University and spend their days on the campus of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at Lubbock. SPA is sponsored in part by the Texas Tech Hispanic Center of Excellence. Activities include observational experiences in research laboratories, clinical activities, talks from motivational speakers, coaching on self-confidence and public speaking, and preparation for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Participants also visit the community and become involved in service projects. But the program is not all work, and the students have an opportunity to enjoy sports and social activities. Stipends are provided. Many past SPA participants have been accepted to medical schools and other professional programs. This is a highly competitive program. Applications usually become available in January, and selections are made in March. For further information check http://www.ttuhsc.edu/SOM/admissions/brochures/spa.htm

Pre-Med in El Paso (PEP): This is a residential summer program for promising pre-medical students held on the campus of the University of Texas at El Paso. The program is sponsored by the Texas Tech Hispanic Center of Excellence and administered by the Pre-Medicine Program at UTEP. Although the program is targeted to UTEP students, it is open to applicants from other undergraduate colleges. The program includes intensive coaching on the content and techniques needed to conquer the MCAT. In addition, there are experiences in research labs at UTEP and clinic settings at Texas Tech in El Paso. Stipends are provided. Interested students should contact the Pre-Medicine Program at UTEP, 915-747-5536, or the Program Director, Dr. Larry P. Jones, ljones@utep.edu

Community Medicine for Pre-Medical Students: In this program, undergraduate pre-medical students have the opportunity to work for six weeks with medical, nursing and other health professions students in a clinic setting. Students are assigned as teams to one of our four clinics in rural far-east El Paso County. In these clinics, the students experience individual teaching from the physicians and nurse practitioners who provide health care in these clinics. The students are exposed to a wide range of learning experiences including case studies using the problem-based learning (PBL) approach, direct patient encounters, classes in history taking and physical assessment, community surveys, and home visits to individuals who rely on the services of the clinics. The program is sponsored by the Texas Tech Hispanic Center of Excellence. Stipends are available. Interested students should contact the program director, Dr. Tony Islas, Aislas@ttuhsc.edu

Programs for Medical Students

Community Medicine for Medical Students: In this program, rising second year medical students have the opportunity to develop their clinical skills and to practice clinical problem solving and diagnosis. They are assigned to one of four rural clinics located in the communities and colonias of far-east El Paso County. In this setting they have one-on-one interactions with faculty members from the Department of Family Medicine. The student participates actively in the assessment of patients and in the formulation of diagnostic considerations and treatment plans. The student has an opportunity to practice and improve medical Spanish language skills. Community-based activities provide an understanding of the socio-economic components of health care in a culturally appropriate setting. Participants in the program receive a stipend. At the end of this summer elective, the student is well-prepared to begin the second year of the medical school curriculum. Applications are available in January preceding the summer program. Selection of students will be made by April. Interested students should contact either Joyce Palmer, Joyce.Palmer@ttuhsc.edu, or Dr. Tony Islas, Aislas@ttuhsc.edu

Clinical Elective in Community Medicine for Fourth Year Medical Students: This month-long elective can be used to fulfill the requirement for ambulatory primary care experiences for Texas Tech fourth year medical students. The program is offered by the Department of Family Medicine at El Paso. The month-long rotation provides experiences in ambulatory care in a community setting, but it also emphasizes culturally appropriate care, alternative medicine, and community needs assessment. Interested fourth year students should contact Dr. Tony Islas, Aislas@ttuhsc.edu, and make sure that they have discussed this elective with their faculty advisors.

Programs for Faculty

Public Health for Faculty Physicians: This program is sponsored by the Texas Tech Hispanic Center of Excellence and is designed for faculty members on the El Paso campus. In this program, faculty members can enroll in the program of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston El Paso campus, leading to the degree, Master of Public Health. Candidates must apply for admission to the Graduate School, but they are not required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) if they possess the MD degree. Faculty scholars must receive release time for their activities through an agreement with their respective Department Chairs. In addition, they receive a stipend while they are participating in course work. Faculty scholars are required to select a thesis topic and to complete a written thesis in order to complete the program. For more information, the interested faculty member should contact Ms. Joyce Palmer, Joyce.Palmer@ttuhsc.edu

Environmental Health for Faculty Physicians: This program is sponsored by the Texas Tech Hispanic Center of Excellence. It is designed for faculty members who are interested in developing expertise in environmental health. The program is suitable for faculty members from any of the four campuses of the Texas Tech School of Medicine, but some time must be spent in Lubbock. This program is the joint effort of the School of Medicine at El Paso and The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH). Individual programs will be tailored for the needs of each of the participating faculty members. The participant may choose to pursue an advanced degree or may select a program focused on a specific topic or methods. The participant will be assigned a faculty mentor from the staff of TIEHH who will help in the design of an educational program. It is anticipated that every faculty participant will develop a project designed to examine an environmental health issue encountered in the faculty member’s clinical activities. For more information, the interested faculty member should contact Dr. Darryl M. Williams, darryl.williams@ttuhsc.edu

Short Courses for Faculty Physicians: This is a program geared to Hispanic faculty members and sponsored by the HCOE. The purpose is to provide opportunities for younger faculty members or those more senior faculty members who wish to change research or academic direction to visit other institutions in order to learn new research methods or new procedures. HCOE is able to support short-term sabbaticals. The interested faculty member should prepare a short proposal that includes the reason for the request, the inclusive dates of the proposed activity, the scope of work anticipated, the projected benefit to the individual and to the institution, and a proposed budget. The faculty member should also provide evidence of approval of the plan by his or her department chair. Decisions will be made promptly when all supporting information is complete. In special circumstances, longer programs of study may be considered. Interested faculty members should contact Dr. Darryl M. Williams, Darryl.Williams@ttuhsc.edu

Seminars in Faculty Development: This program is sponsored by the Office of Faculty Affairs on the El Paso campus (Dr. Hoi Ho, Assistant Dean for Faculty Affairs). The program is funded in part by the Texas Tech Hispanic Center of Excellence. Seminars are conducted on a weekly basis for nearly six months, with two separate topics covered during each session. This program is offered on an annual basis to provide younger faculty members with information that will foster their growth and assist in their academic promotion. Topics include teaching skills, research methods, assessing the medical literature, and writing and presentation skills. The program is held in the late afternoon, but participants are assured release time by their respective department chairs. Faculty members who are interested in participating in this program should contact Assistant Dean Ho (Hoi.Ho@ttuhsc.edu)

HCOE Visiting Professors: Faculty members and Department Chairs are invited to nominate distinguished physicians and medical scientists from other institutions to serve as Visiting Professors. This program is open to all campuses and all departments. Visiting professors should be either distinguished Hispanic individuals or individuals with an interest in topics related to Hispanic health. The Visiting Professor is invited to spend two days on campus where he or she makes rounds with house staff and students or participates in a colloquium of graduate student projects. A high point of the visit is a presentation of the Visiting Professors current research or academic activity. Social occasions with students and junior faculty provide the visitor to share ideas about careers and future plans. Suggestions for future visitors are invited. Joyce.Palmer@ttuhsc.edu

Hispanic Center of Excellence Visiting Professors have included:

• Frank Talamantes, PhD, Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies, University of California at Santa Cruz
• R. Steven Padilla, MD, Chairperson, Department of Dermatology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine
• Helen Hazuda, PhD, Research Professor of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Medicine

Programs for Parents and Families

Parents and Partners: This program uses small group sessions, conferences with Parent and Teacher Association meetings, and monthly newsletters to advise parents of the process of application for college. Issues such as finances, student loans, and scholarships are covered as well as the pros and cons of attendance at colleges away from the home community. If you have questions about this program, contact Angie.Rodriguez@ttuhsc.edu