Marking Progress

The Texas Department of Transportation installed signage on Interstate 20 to direct Abilene visitors to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) at Abilene. To celebrate the installation, TTUHSC and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at which TTUHSC President Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., and Texas State House Representative Susan Lewis King of District 71 made remarks about the progress and impact of TTUHSC in Abilene.

“TTUHSC in Abilene has seen rapid growth and is proud to serve the health of Taylor County and nearby rural populations,” Mitchell said. “We are grateful to Representative King and TxDOT for recognizing our impact in Abilene and having these signs installed.”

King, who championed the cause of bringing the signs to Interstate 20 since TTUHSC at Abilene was first established, said she always envisioned the sign being a great testimony to Abilene, its commitment to quality education and health care and TTUHSC.

“One day, a family may be traveling on busy I-20, and a child could read the sign directing people to TTUHSC Abilene,” King said. “That could be a teachable moment in which a parent will explain the great things accomplished at this institution. That child could then go on to become a nurse, a pharmacist, a public health official or another critical part of the health care industry all because of these signs.”

King explained having the signs installed required a lengthy and persistent process, which she believes was worthwhile in order to let travelers know about the first-rate education, research and patient care available in Abilene through TTUHSC.

“There is a process that requires a certain number of visitors, and proving this can be difficult,” King said. “Communication is so important. It’s an important factor in getting the sign. And TTUHSC, it’s important for this sign to communicate who you are to the world.”

Stan Swiatek, P.E., TxDOT Abilene district engineer, explained how King’s help expedited the installation of the signs, and why the signage actually improves public safety.

“There is a lot of criteria an organization must meet for the signage,” Swiatek said. “With Representative King’s help, we met that criteria. It’s important because with technology, people can look everything up. But, this reduces the possibility that someone will look up the address on their phone while driving and possibly have a wreck.”

The signs are visible to eastbound and westbound visitors entering Abilene where TTUHSC educates students in the School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Department of Public Health.

 

Image Gallery