Class of 2023
Foster School of Medicine Graduates 86 New Physicians
TTUHSC El Paso Celebrates 10 years of educating future physicians, improving health care in our Borderplex
The Foster School of Medicine, which has dedicated over a decade to reducing health disparities in our Borderplex, conferred 86 graduates with M.D. degrees on Friday, May 19, bringing the total number of physicians educated by the school to 881.
The annual commencement ceremony, held at the Plaza Theatre in Downtown El Paso, marked Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso’s 10th anniversary. Thanks to unwavering support from our Borderplex community, TTUHSC El Paso has played a vital role in bridging the health care gap in the region by educating our own health care heroes.
In 2008, a year prior to the opening of the Foster School of Medicine, El Paso County’s average number of direct care physicians per 100,000 people was 75% less than the national average and 37% less than the state average. Today, the physician shortage has been reduced to 60% when compared nationwide and 28% statewide.
Luis Salcido will continue that trend as one of this year’s proud graduates. Born in Delicias, Chihuahua, Salcido became a U.S. citizen after being adopted by his aunt and uncle as a youngster. His uncle served in the military, and Salcido moved with his family to our Borderplex in the seventh grade when his uncle was assigned to Fort Bliss.
Salcido had always been interested in medicine, so he took advantage of the opportunity to attend Silva Health Magnet High School, located across the street from the TTUHSC El Paso campus. With dedication and hard work, he achieved his dream and enrolled with the class of 2023 at the Foster School of Medicine in his hometown.
“I’m grateful I attended medical school in El Paso, surrounded by my community,” Salcido said. “My good friends live here, along with most of my family, so I feel well-supported.”
Ready to care for the community that supported him, Salcido will begin a psychiatry residency at TTUHSC El Paso.
"2020 was a big ‘pivot year’ for me," Salcido said. "I started doing outpatient psychiatry, and I enjoyed making genuine connections with patients. I enjoyed building trust and making patients feel safe. I’m grateful to stay home and train for residency here. I think we have a great program with wonderful people, and I’m excited to start learning and growing as a psychiatrist."
Salcido received scholarship support from local donors, which eased the financial burden and inspired him to flourish.
"It feels amazing to know that people from El Paso are supporting you and want you to succeed," Salcido said.
The Foster School of Medicine’s commitment to providing hands-on clinical experience within the first year of education sets it apart from most medical schools in the United States.
The institution has been at the forefront of innovation, being one of the first in the country to integrate a medical Spanish requirement, ensuring its graduates are equipped to provide culturally competent health care in our Borderplex region and beyond. This focus stems from the changing demographic landscape of the United States: The U.S. Census Bureau projects that in just over 10 years, Hispanics will account for 25% of the population.
However, less than 6% of all physicians in the U.S. identify as Hispanic or Latino, according to a study by the Association of American Medical Colleges. And a study of data from the American Board of Family Medicine found only about 20 percent of family physicians speak Spanish. Research shows patients with limited English proficiency greatly benefit from bilingual health care providers and are more likely to understand diagnosis and treatment and adhere to medication.
All members of this year’s graduating class will move on to residencies at locations across the country as well as in El Paso. Residency training is next step for M.D. graduates working to become specialists in their chosen fields. This year, 14 Foster School of Medicine graduates were accepted into residencies in El Paso, with 13 of those at TTUHSC El Paso.
About Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso
TTUHSC El Paso is the only health sciences center on the U.S.-Mexico border and serves 108 counties in West Texas that have been historically underserved. It’s a designated Title V Hispanic-Serving Institution, preparing the next generation of health care heroes, 48% of whom identify as Hispanic and are often first-generation students.
Established as an independent university in the Texas Tech University System in 2013, TTUHSC El Paso is celebrating 10 years as a proudly diverse and uniquely innovative destination for education and research. According to a 2022 analysis, TTUHSC El Paso contributes $634.4 million annually to our Borderplex region’s economy.
With a mission of eliminating health care barriers and creating life-changing educational opportunities for Borderplex residents, TTUHSC El Paso has graduated over 2,000 doctors, nurses and researchers over the past decade, and will add dentists to its alumni beginning in 2025. For more information, visit www.ttuhscepimpact.com.
