Celebrating Fifty Years of Success!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CONTACT:    Suzanna Cisneros, suzanna.cisneros@ttuhsc.edu
                          (806) 743-7605
 
WHO:             Texas Tech University System Chancellor and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) President Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., and Janet Tornelli-Mitchell, M.D., will host the TTUHSC Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration.
 
WHERE:         TTUHSC Academic Event Center, 3601 Fourth St.
 
WHEN:           6 p.m. June 7
 
EVENT:          In 1969, Gov. Preston Smith had a vision of providing more physicians to the West Texas area. Now 50 years later, TTUHSC will celebrate the milestone along with more than 95 School of Medicine alumni, including these from the first three classes:
                       
Class of 1974
·      Dr. Ed Cazzola of Albuquerque, New Mexico
·      Dr. David Mangold, Lubbock
Class of 1975
·      Dr. Richard Johnston, Irving
·      Dr. Andy Hansen, College Station
·      Dr. Gerry Lawler, Abilene
·      Dr. Charlotte Ann Shanley, Kingsbury
Class of 1976
·      Dr. William Long, Belton
·      Dr. Stephen Walling, Taos, New Mexico
 
Also present will be Jan Taylor, Former Gov. Smith’s daughter and his grandson Robert Schmid, M.D. At that time professionals and hospitals were scarce: 19 of the counties surrounding Lubbock had no physicians. Today, TTUHSC has graduated more than 28,000 health care professionals. Of those, 24 percent remain in the 108-county service area.
 
[Editor’s Note: A Media Tool Kit is available at http://fifty.ttuhsc.edu/with historic photos, video and timeline.]

Related Stories

38th Student Research Week Successful at Showcasing Secrets of Immune Defense

Student researchers at TTUHSC had the opportunity to showcase their presentation skills at the 38th Annual Student Research Week Feb. 25 – 27.

Celebrating Veterans: TTUHSC’s General Martin Clay’s Legacy of Service and Leadership

From his initial enlistment in the Army National Guard 36 years ago to his leadership in military and civilian health care management roles, Major General Martin Clay’s career has been shaped by adaptability, mission focus and service to others.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing Named Best Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program in Texas

The TTUHSC School of Nursing Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program has been ranked the No. 1 accelerated nursing program in Texas by RegisteredNursing.org.

Recent Stories

Health

Midlife Cardiorespiratory Fitness Predicts How Well We Age

Being fit in midlife helps people live longer and healthier, according to new research findings from the Kenneth H. Cooper Institute at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

Education

U.S. News & World Report Ranks TTUHSC Schools Among Best for 2026 Graduate School Rankings

Several graduate programs at TTUHSC have been recognized in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate School Rankings, reaffirming the university’s continued excellence in health sciences education and training.

Health

UMC Health System, TTUHSC Celebrate New UMC TLC² Foundation Cancer Center

UMC Health System and the TTUHSC today (April 17) celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new UMC TLC2 Foundation Cancer Center. Opening Monday (April 20), the cancer center marks a new era in cancer care for patients and the region.