Educating Health Care Professionals — One of the Largest Schools in the Nation
When a person thinks of the medical field, a physician or nurse may come to mind.
But when it comes to health professions, there is another provider that is vital to
health care – allied health professionals. These professionalsplay an essential role
in the delivery of health care in the U.S. and can includephysical therapists, occupational
therapists, physician assistants, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, clinical
laboratory scientists, health care administrators, addiction counselors and clinical
mental health counselors.
With the celebration of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC)
50th Anniversary this year, our community celebrates our rich history and why our
institution was founded. The key reason was to provide more physicians to our area.
Fast forward 50 years, not only has this institution educated physicians but other
health care professionals. The TTUHSC School of Health Professions (formerly the School
of Allied Health Sciences) has grown to offer 20 academic degree, making the school
one of the largest in the nation.
The School of Health Professions continually has expanded to innovatively meet the
growing health care needs of this and other communities across the nation. With a
high demand for these professions, our school is training some of the most qualified
health care professionals.
Each School of Health Professions program features world-renowned faculty dedicated to research and patient care.
The reason for our success – our faculty, staff and students. The school employs world-renowned
faculty dedicated to research and patient care. This commitment to a culture of academic
excellence spells success for our students’ outcomes. TTUHSC School of Health Professions
students excel with a 93 percent first-time pass rate for students required to complete
licensure or certification requirement. Our students also have a 100 percent job placement
rate for licensed practitioners and 100 percent of our speech-language pathology graduates
have passed the national certification exam for 11 consecutive years.
The Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions stated that as much as 60
percent of the U.S. health care workforce may be classified as allied health. With
the need for these professionals, we seek ways to prepare the most experienced health
care providers.
Students from different programs get opportunities to learn together for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Our students’ educational experience may include rotations and specialties that make them a more well-rounded professional.
· Physician assistant students complete 100 percent of primary care rotations
in West Texas and provide more than 2.5 million patient visits per year.
· The Department of Clinical Counseling and Mental Health is the first counseling
department in the nation that requires all students to obtain a certificate in telehealth.
· The TTUHSC Speech-Language-Hearing clinic offers an interprofessional collaborative
treatment for children and adults with speech, language, swallowing and hearing problems. The
clinic had 2,781 patient visits in this academic year.
· The Stroke & Aphasia Recovery (STAR) Program serves approximately 40 stroke
and brain injury survivors and 25 caregivers every week during the fall and spring
semesters.
TTUHSC School of Health Professions offers 20 academic degree, making the school one of the largest in the nation
All these are examples of how the TTUHSC School of Health Professions is educating
a strong health care work force. We are the largest School of Health Professions in
Texas and one of the largest in the nation in relation to the breadth of programs
and the number of enrolled students and graduates.
Because we provide such a large number of clinicians for our region and state, it
is vital that our School of Health Professions develops critical thinkers who will
become innovators in their professional fields.
Walking the halls of our university, we are thankful for the vision of our founding
leaders. That vision has expanded to educate all health care professionals and allow
us to fulfill our mission of expanding access and improving the quality of health
care. We are making a positive impact in the communities we serve in Texas and across
the nation.
Lori Rice Spearman, Ph.D., is dean of the TTUHSC School of Health Professions.
Related Stories
How Does Your Garden Grow?
As spring approaches, some people’s thoughts turn to gardening. Whether it’s a flower garden they desire or a vegetable garden want to have, they begin planning what they’ll plant and what they need to do to ensure a successful garden.
Adopt a Growth Mindset for a Better Life
A “growth mindset” accepts that our intelligence and talents can develop over time, and a person with that mindset understands that intelligence and talents can improve through effort and learning.
Drug Use, Family History Can Lead to Heart Disease in Younger Adults
Abstaining from drug abuse and an early diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) can help prevent heart disease.
Recent Stories
School of Pharmacy Remembers Contributions of Key Collaborator
Cynthia Nash, Pharm.D., served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice for the School, and was an instrumental collaborator and key ally in our partnership with the Dallas VA North Texas Health Care System.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Expert Elected 2024–2025 American Pharmacists Association House of Delegates Speaker-Elect
The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) announced that Mary S. Klein, Pharm.D., was elected the 2024–2025 speaker-elect of the APhA House of Delegates.
Free Clinic Offered for Women’s Health Day
The Free Clinic, staffed by TTUHSC School of Medicine students, will host Women’s Health Day Clinic from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 27.