ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Today marked a special day for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, marking their orientation for incoming residents and fellows.
The class includes sixty residents across five accredited residency programs and thirteen fellows entering advanced subspecialty training in six accredited fellowship programs.
Senior Director of GME and Resident Affairs, Isabel Erives, mentioned she is eager to give a warm welcome to these new faces.
“We are so excited to have them here today. Each year, we look forward to welcoming them. Our big message today is that we want this to be their home. We want them to continue serving the Permian Basin and stay here and work long after finishing residency and fellowship,” said Erives.
It seems like the warm welcome is working; multiple residents mentioned their very own plans on staying in the West Texas area.
“I actually grew up about two hours from Lubbock…we were always Red Raiders growing up. So really, it’s been a dream to go to medical school here.” Emily Dierschk, a first-year resident, said. “I’m actually planning on living in the area for a long time. My husband’s a farmer about an hour from here in St. Lawrence. It really worked well for me knowing that there is a medical school here and, of course, Texas Tech.”
Fellow first-year resident, Salvador Galindo, said, “I’m originally from San Antonio, Texas, but I did my undergrad at Tech, and I fell in love with West Texas once I got there. I do see myself studying in this area.” Adding to his statement, “I’m very interested in rural medicine, so hopefully somewhere in the Big Bend region, I can continue practicing there,” shared a similar mindset to his peer.
Congratulations to all of our new Red Raiders, and welcome to the Permian Basin! We hope you enjoy your time here.