Training doctors for small-town Texas

This article was originally published by the University of North Texas Health Science Center.

Having grown up in Brock, Texas, population 80, Lisa Nash, DO, knows how tough the path is to becoming a physician—especially for students from rural communities.

“I grew up on a farm and nobody in my community had gone to medical school ever,” said Dr. Nash, an associate dean for educational programs at the University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC/TCOM) in Fort Worth. “I had to get scholarships and work through college, doing everything from cleaning houses to building log cabins.”

Stories like hers are what inspired the Primary Care Pathway Program, an innovative new partnership among UNT Health Science Center, University of North Texas and Midland College. The program accelerates a student’s medical education and relieves some of the stress that comes with applying to medical school. Including undergraduate years, participants can earn a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree in seven years, rather than the traditional eight.

For qualified students attending Midland College, it’s a rare opportunity to fast-track their education and get lots of support along the way. Patients in West Texas, where there’s a critical shortage of physicians, stand to benefit as well.

“In some parts of West Texas, there may be only one physician, and he’s 80 miles away,” said Ann Smith, academic program coordinator. “This program is a way to address the physician shortage by training doctors who will return to West Texas to practice medicine.”

Students are required to attend Midland College for two years, followed by a year at the University of North Texas. During that time students must maintain a minimum 3.5 grade point average. Those who successfully complete 90 credit hours and other prescribed requirements, including two summer internships, are granted early admission to UNTHSC/TCOM.

“If we can get this model right, we could do this in 50 communities across Texas,” Dr. Nash said. “That will go a long way toward addressing the severe shortage of physicians outside urban areas.”