The Pulse, July 8, 2019

This summer has been a whirlwind of activity thus far and we’re just getting started!  Some of the highlights on campus include:

• Welcoming our 20^th class of outstanding Medical Science students
• Hosting the 14^th Annual Texas Conference on Health Disparities
• Orienting our new Dean of the System College of Pharmacy, Dr. Suresh Madhavan
• Celebrating the grand opening of our FitSteps for Life Program
• Engaging with finalists for our Vice President for Research position

Now that June is behind us, we begin the flurry of campus activities associated with New Student Orientation. This is such an exciting time as it marks the beginning of the students’ journey to becoming our future physicians, pharmacists, scientists, physical therapists, physician assistants and public health experts.

I’m pleased to share today is a historic day for UNTHSC as we welcome our 50^th class of Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine students and our Inaugural class of TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine students. The cutting-edge curricula of both programs over the next four years will position these 290 exceptional students to develop into world-class physicians.

Additionally, we are also celebrating the arrival of 44 new physical therapy students today in the College of Health Professions.  Our DPT Program is one of the best in the country having earned their 10-year accreditation earlier this year and I’m confident this new class will excel as their predecessors have in previous years.

The arrival of our other students is just around the corner so mark your calendar with these dates.

We’ll wrap up our New Student Orientations with an event-filled, official “Welcome Week” beginning Monday, August 19^th that will culminate with our White Coat Ceremony and Welcome BBQ for students and families Friday, August 23^rd on the MET Lawn.

Great universities are defined by engaged faculty and staff who bring energy, ideas, and perspectives to our students, to each other, and to the Institution.  I am proud the entire HSC community is here to support, sustain, and encourage our students in their exciting journey to becoming our “Providers of the Future” so please join me in welcoming them to the HSC Family!