Graduation Season
TTUHSC El Paso Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Commencement Ceremonies for Hunt School of Nursing, Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
More than 100 graduates to join health care workforce, reduce critical provider shortage along U.S.-Mexico border
EL PASO, Texas — As a pioneering, world-class institution dedicated to growing the next generation of health care leaders for our Borderplex region, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso honored 112 graduates who are ready for the next step in their journeys.
TTUHSC El Paso celebrated the spring commencement ceremonies for the Hunt School of Nursing and the Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Saturday, May 13, at the historic Plaza Theatre in Downtown El Paso. The annual event not only marked the achievements of the graduating students but also commemorated the university's 10-year anniversary.
“We’re immensely proud of our graduates and their accomplishments as they embark on their professional journeys,” said Rick Lange, M.D., M.B.A., president of TTUHSC El Paso. “By fostering the growth of our own health care leaders here in El Paso, we’re cultivating a generation of professionals who are deeply connected to the needs of our community. These graduates not only exemplify academic excellence, but they also embody our values by providing compassionate, culturally competent service, while advancing the future of health care in our Borderplex region and beyond.”
Hunt School of Nursing – 83 graduates
The Hunt School of Nursing commencement ceremony celebrated the achievements of 83 graduates, with 71 receiving Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees this semester, along with another 12 students who will complete their B.S.N. requirements by the end of the summer term. The majority were local residents, with 75 hailing from our Borderplex region.
The class of 2023 holds a special distinction for being the first since 2019 to complete their studies without COVID-19 restrictions that previously prevented many face-to-face classes. As with past graduates, most students have already received job offers from local hospitals before they receive their degrees.
Stephanie Woods, R.N., Ph.D., dean of the Hunt School of Nursing, gave the keynote address. Her speech, “The Future of Nursing Depends on You,” described the unprecedented nurse shortage faced by not only our Borderplex region but also the world. She urged graduates to maintain their passion for nursing and encouraged others to follow their example by becoming nurses.
“The infusion of these graduates into El Paso hospitals will make a tremendous difference to this community,” said Dr. Woods. “All I ask is that they commend nursing to others. If they do that, the future of nursing will be secured.”
One of those inspired by Dr. Woods was Brianna Corrales of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Corrales started her academic journey at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 prompted her to make the difficult decision to return to her hometown. Prioritizing her family and community, Corrales chose to remain close to home. She transferred to TTUHSC El Paso and enrolled in the Hunt School of Nursing’s Accelerated B.S.N. program. The program, which is the only one of its type in the region, offers students the opportunity to earn a B.S.N. degree in just 16 months.
As a first-generation college student, Corrales found inspiration in caring for her ailing grandmother, an experience that fueled her determination to excel in her studies.
“The Accelerated B.S.N. program was incredibly challenging. Staying on top of everything and maintaining a steady pace to avoid burnout was crucial,” she said. “With classes Monday through Friday and clinicals on weekends, managing the workload requires finding motivation and determination to keep pushing forward.”
Like many in her cohort, COVID-19 only fortified her determination to serve others.
“I worked as a certified nursing assistant in a COVID-19 unit while completing my online prerequisites,” she said. “It was a difficult time, witnessing people passing away around me. But the moments when I made a difference in a patient's life confirmed this was the path I wanted to take. Despite the hardships, I found a deep sense of purpose.”
She cherished her time at TTUHSC El Paso, forging strong bonds with her peers who now share the title of colleagues. Corrales and her cohort's exceptional skills and dedication have been recognized with multiple job offers from local hospitals along the U.S.-Mexico border, a testament to their readiness to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of our vibrant, diverse community.
Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences – 29 graduates
The Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences honored 29 students, with seven graduating with a post-baccalaureate certificate in biomedical sciences and 22 earning their Master of Science (M.S.) in biomedical sciences.
Graduates from the Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences commonly pursue medical school or Ph.D. programs after graduation. The school’s curriculum and training contribute to shaping future health care professionals and researchers, many who remain in the region.
Delivering the keynote address was Servando Rivera, M.D., M.S., a graduate of the Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (2015) and the Foster School of Medicine (2020). He is now a resident in TTUHSC El Paso’s Department of Emergency Medicine.
“My personal journey has mirrored this university’s mission of growing our own health care leaders to serve our community,” Dr. Rivera told the graduates. “As I anticipate the conclusion of my residency this June, I’ll continue practicing here in El Paso, helping to address our region’s provider shortage.”
Brothers Daniel and Miguel Lara, born in El Paso and raised in Ciudad Juárez, embarked on their inspiring journey when they returned to El Paso at the ages of 12 and 11, respectively. Their interest in medicine was sparked when a relative contracted a serious eye disease that could have cost him his eyesight without proper treatment. This life-changing event motivated both brothers to learn more about the medical field and help others who may end up in the same position.
“The physician explained that timely treatment saved his vision,” recalled Miguel. “That experience showed me the importance of having health care professionals who can treat patients, regardless of language or background, as it can greatly impact their lives.”
Added his brother, Daniel, “My motivation to join the health science program in high school stemmed from wanting to understand my relative's eye disease. I discovered my passion for health sciences, which I found more captivating than math, English or history. This experience led me to pursue a career in biomedical sciences.”
Daniel and Miguel obtained degrees in biology from the University of Texas at El Paso before enrolling in the post-baccalaureate program at the Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. This summer, the brothers will receive their white coats as members of the Foster School of Medicine’s class of 2027. Both wish to complete their residencies in El Paso after graduating and give back to the community that has supported their dreams.
Daniel is looking forward to the bilingual health care education he will receive from the Foster School of Medicine. “My goal is to complete my residency in El Paso, focusing on family or internal medicine,” he said. “Though the future is uncertain, I plan to give my best effort over the next four years. As the saying goes, I'll prepare for the worst and expect the best.”
About the Hunt School of Nursing
The Hunt School of Nursing features a curriculum for cross-disciplinary collaboration, preparing its students to work in clinical teams alongside physicians. The school’s curriculum also prepares students for leadership positions in hospitals and clinics. It’s home to the only accelerated program in the region where students earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in just 16 months.
Since opening in 2011, more than 1,000 nurses have graduated from the Hunt School of Nursing, with the majority staying in the region. As a result, the number of registered nurses in the county has increased by 45%.
About the Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
The Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences provides a dynamic research environment that focuses on conditions directly impacting the residents of the Borderplex and other rapidly growing Hispanic populations. As of 2022, 163 students have graduated from the school, with most going on to pursue their Ph.D. or attend medical or dental school.
To view the commencement broadcasts, visit facebook.com/ttuhscep.
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.