Chris Powers, MD · El Paso, Texas · School of Medicine '98
Chris Powers, M.D., is living the American dream in its truest form, thanks to the support of his wife and children. An accomplished lawyer and partner in an El Paso law firm, Powers decided at 39 to relinquish his partnership and pursue a dream of becoming a doctor.
While continuing to practice law, Powers enrolled at the University of Texas at El Paso where he worked on the prerequisites he needed to apply for medical school. A non-traditional student in his late 30s, Powers still had many courses to complete at UTEP and had yet to take the MCAT, but was encouraged to apply for medical school by Jim Chappell, M.D., then dean of Student Affairs for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
Powers took the MCAT, submitted his application, and was admitted to the Class of 1998. That summer he moved his family to Lubbock.
When it came time for residency, Powers had initially narrowed his choices to those programs with the shortest training times in an effort to ease complications for his family. As he began rotations, Powers, a father himself, discovered his love for life was best suited in the delivery room.
Peggy Powers once again supported her husband and the family moved to Connecticut for a four-year Ob/Gyn residency program. After a year, the family realized that TTUHSC at El Paso was the best place for them and returned there for Powers to finish residency. Powers is currently practicing medicine in El Paso.
Rebecca Hardin
