Honoring Those Who Make a Difference

The School of Medicine Medical Alumni Association recently recognized community physicians, partners and distinguished alumni.

In the late 1990s, a handful of alumni from the School of Medicine established the Medical Alumni Association to build a loyal alumni base. Danette Baker, director of alumni relations, presented the Distinguished Alumni Award to two physicians who made significant contributions to their respective fields.

“Their work has reflected positively on the mission of the School of Medicine as well as that of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center,” Baker said.

Distinguished Alumni

Jose Manuel de la Rosa, M.D., TTUHSC El Paso vice president for health affairs and Paul L. Foster School of Medicine founding dean, was presented the 2012 School of Medicine Distinguished Alumni Award. De la Rosa is the lead academic officer for the El Paso campus, which consists of more than 300 medical students, 200 resident physicians in 10 residency programs, 56 nursing students and 10 graduate students. He supervises a budget of more than $200 million.

De la Rosa is 1984 School of Medicine graduate. In 1997, he was appointed regional dean for TTUHSC El Paso and later School of Medicine dean. Following these appointments, De la Rosa set a goal of bringing a four-year medical school to El Paso. After more than 10 years of dedication to this initiative, the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine received its LCME accreditation on February 6, 2008, and welcomed its inaugural class of first-year medical students in July 2009. This milestone brought the resources of both a medical school and health sciences center to the community.

Barbara Bergin, M.D., was honored with the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award in Community Outreach.

Bergin was in the first class at what was originally Texas Tech University Medical School on the Texas Tech campus. She was among the last students take an anatomy class in Drane Hall before the school moved to the TTUHSC campus.

Bergin helped establish Texas Orthopedics, Sports and Rehabilitation Associates in Austin. Twenty-eight years later, Texas Orthopedics is the largest orthopedic group in Austin and the second largest in Texas. She regularly mentors pre-medical students at the University of Texas has also been an exceptional mentor and role model for the entire practice and community.

In 2006, Bergin became an advocate for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public facilities after witnessing her son revived after suffering cardiac arrest while playing high school football. Bergin has supplied Texas Tech’s Therapeutic Riding Center with an AED.

Steven L. Berk, M.D., executive vice president, provost and School of Medicine dean said for decades, the School of Medicine has had the support of community physicians and medical professionals who have provided an invaluable role in the teaching and service missions of the university.

“Thank you for allowing us to express our gratitude and appreciation to all of you who contribute to the educational, research and service needs of our students, residents and fellows,” Berk said. “Each of you makes a significant contribution offering your expertise, medical knowledge, financial support and dedicated partnerships.”

The following individuals were recognized for exhibiting exceptional commitment and continue to be instrumental in advancing the School of Medicine. The 2013-2014 community faculty awards include:

Dean’s Distinguished Service Awards

• The Preceptor of the Year – Charles Wheeler, D.O.


• Community Leadership Award – Elias Ghandour, M.D., and Harry Hall, M.D

Excellence in Teaching

The Excellence in Teaching Award is presented to clinician educators for their longstanding and consistent contributions to the educational mission of the School of Medicine through a commitment in teaching, helping students perfect their clinical skills and/or the stimulating of student’s intellectual achievements through communication skills and interpersonal rapport.

This year’s winners are:

• The Excellence in Teaching Award in Anesthesiology – Cecil Fincher, D.O.


• The Excellence in Teaching Award in Family Medicine – Clinton Wolboldt, M.D. and Terry Gage, M.D.


• The Excellence in Teaching Award in Internal Medicine – Patricia Aristimuno, M.D.


• The Excellence in Teaching Award in Neurology – Nabeel Dar, M.D., and Roger Wolcott, M.D.


• The Excellence in Teaching Award in Obstetrics and Gynecology – Duncan Burkholder, M.D.


• The Excellence in Teaching Award in Ophthalmology – Zuhair Shihab, M.D.


• The Excellence in Teaching Award in Pediatrics – Douglas Klepper, M.D.


• The Excellence in Teaching Award for Psychiatry – Marina Chavez, M.D.

Excellence in Service

The Excellence in Service Award is presented to individuals who demonstrate exceptional service to the advancement of the academic mission of the School of Medicine through knowledge sharing, leadership and support to the department.

This year’s winners are:

• The Excellence in Service Award in Neurology – Katie Hendley, M.D., and Ahmad Sabouni, M.D.


• The Excellence in Service Award in Pediatrics – Retta Knox, R.N., a school nurse in Hart, Texas, who wrote the first grant for a Rural School Based Clinic and asked the Department of Pediatrics at TTUHSC to provide the physician supervision.


• The Excellence in Service Award in Surgery Department – Catherine Ronaghan, M.D.


• The Excellence in Service Award for Dermatology – Keith Wisneiwski, M.D. and Brent Paulger, M.D.


• The Excellence in Service Award for Family and Community Medicine – Larry Warmoth, M.D.


• The Excellence in Service Award for Obstetrics and Gynecology – Benny Phillips, M.D.

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