Deans’ Assistants Leader

TTUHSC El Paso's Vanessa Solis Named Chair-Elect for National Organization's Group

Organization comprised of executive assistants to deans of medical schools in the Association of American Medical Colleges

Vanessa Solis-Cortez

Vanessa Solis-Cortez, assistant to the president at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, was recently elected to serve as chair-elect for the Deans’ Assistants Group under the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Council of Deans.

Founded in 1994, the Deans’ Assistants Group is a national organization of executive assistants to deans of medical schools that are members of the AAMC. The group fosters networking between deans’ offices across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, and establishes a national forum for ideas and problem solving to help improve and advance medical schools.

TTUHSC El Paso President Richard Lange, M.D., M.B.A., also serves as dean of the Foster School of Medicine, which is a member of the AAMC. The Foster School of Medicine has evolved as a leader in clinically focused education thanks to hands-on clinical experience within the first year of the curriculum and a focus on culturally competent community service. Since opening in 2009, the school has educated more than 700 physicians. In that time, it has reduced the physician shortage in El Paso from 75% to 60% when compared to the national average.

In addition to increasing the physician workforce, the Foster School of Medicine is diversifying it. The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that in just over 10 years, Hispanics will account for 25% of the population. However, less than 6% of physicians in the U.S. speak Spanish and identify as Hispanic or Latino. Research shows that 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. In 2021, 35% of the Foster School of Medicine’s graduating class identified as Hispanic and were also bilingual, thanks to the school’s medical Spanish requirement.

“By sharing our success stories, as well as challenges as a medical school, we can learn what other schools have done,” said Solis-Cortez, who has been a member of the Deans’ Assistants Group for 12 years. “The sharing of best practices, do’s and don'ts, etc., will help advance our mission. The added benefit is having the Foster School of Medicine, as well as TTUHSC El Paso, in the national spotlight. I look forward to sharing ideas that can ultimately be brought to our institution and vice versa.”

Soliz-Cortez's appointment is for two years, one as chair-elect and one as chair. Her term as chair will start in spring 2023.

“The Deans’ Assistants Group allows us to share and discuss programs, policies and procedures, organizational structure, and other issues of common interest,” Solis-Cortez said. “The group is also great for new assistants, especially those who have never been in academia. There is much to be said for birds of a feather!”

As assistant to the president, Solis-Cortez reports directly to Dr. Lange while managing the daily operations of the Office of the President and Dean. She also supports human resources needs, the university's preparations for Texas Tech University System Board of Regents meetings, executive position searches and other administrative duties.

Solis-Cortez has been with TTUHSC El Paso for 20 years and is a native El Pasoan. She holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration with a computer information systems concentration from the University of Texas at El Paso.

She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in higher education administration. She is a member of Leadership Women and graduate of their Leadership Texas program, and a member of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs. She was also chair of the local employee committee for the Texas State Employee Charitable Campaign’s El Paso region.

About TTUHSC 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 is also the only health sciences center on the U.S.-Mexico border designated as a Title V Hispanic-Serving Institution, preparing the next generation of health care heroes, 48% of whom identify as Hispanic.