Texas Tech University School of Medicine

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine

An education from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Medicine prepares students to tackle all major challenges of 21st Century patient care. 
Interprofessional and collaborative work are essential to team-based patient care, and they are cornerstones our curriculum. We are one of few universities nationwide that offer a School of Medicine, School of Health Professions and School of Nursing under one expansive roof, making interdisciplinary learning not only possible, but encouraged.

Mission

Founded in 1969, the TTUHSC School of Medicine has continually worked to address the shortage of physicians in West Texas by providing quality, innovative educational opportunities to medical students and residents who serve as competent and compassionate medical professionals for the region and the state of Texas. The medical education program emphasizes the principles of primary care and provides sound inter-disciplinary and inter-professional training that integrates basic sciences knowledge, clinical skill, diversity, and a humanistic approach focusing on high standards and comprehensive evaluation. The school's medical practice, Texas Tech Physicians, strives to utilize state-of-the-art technology to effectively meet the growing needs of a diverse and largely rural patient population through strong partnerships with clinical affiliates. Principles of teamwork, humanistic care, and cost effectiveness are embedded into the practice of medicine. The research strategy of the school is to develop insights into the science of medicine, treatments, prevention, and cures, and enhanced methods for managing patient illness, with an emphasis on opportunities for medical student research. Centers of Excellence and Institutes work toward defined areas of excellence where contributions on a national level can be made.

Vision

To be known for excellence in teaching, patient care, and scientific contributions that enhance the health care of communities in the region.

The M.D. Program

As a TTUHSC medical student, you have the freedom to pursue any discipline or specialty. Our four-year MD program devotes three years to a dynamic, foundational blend of basic science, research and interdisciplinary clinical practice, followed by a final year of clinical specialization. It’s a curriculum that’s both deep and wide, and empowers students to advance the health care environment for a healthier society, all while continuing to pursue their individual interests in the field. Students will have many opportunities for clinical experiences starting in the first year through formal class work and mentoring by our visionary practicing physicians.

We are Excellence in Education, Patient Care, and Research

Working together, our five schools, institutes, centers and clinics are uniquely positioned to educate tomorrow's health care providers from many perspectives and disciplines.  
Our interprofessional education leads to higher functioning health care teams. The collaborative environment at TTUHSC breaks down traditional silos of health care learning. Students from different professions work together to reach a common goal: improve patient health outcomes.
With this foundation of collaboration, our graduates are better prepared to function effectively in any team.
You might learn alongside a PharmD student in the emergency room, or a nursing student while shadowing a floor nurse in the hospital. Creating more opportunities for TTUHSC students to interact with other health care students is one of our top goals

History

In 2009, the TTUHSC School of Medicine celebrated 40 years since its creation by the 61st Texas Legislature. A variety of events were held to commemorate this anniversary, and a timeline was displayed to chronicle the school's history. The timeline display designed by Margaret Vugrin from the Preston Smith Library of Health Sciences and Tim Hayes with the School of Medicine, Office of the Dean, received a 2010 Gold Addy Award from the Lubbock Advertising Federation. To view our history by decade, click HERE.

Rising up from a cotton field...

In 1974 construction began on the Texas Tech University School of Medicine. One of the largest buildings in Lubbock with over one million square feet of space, the complex initially housed the medical school in Pod A (now referred to as the East Wing) and the Health Sciences Center Hospital (now University Medical Center). The institution was designated in 1979 as the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center by the Texas Legislature.
Source: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/medicine/