Faculty and Staff

Darryl M. Williams, MD, MPH is Executive Director of the Office of Border Health and the Project Director of the Hispanic Center of Excellence. He is also Executive Director of the Office of Curriculum Planning and Professor of Medicine. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, he has interests in community outreach and the role of the community health worker in providing health care services. He also has a clinical and research interest in childhood obesity and diabetes mellitus in the Hispanic population. One of his current major efforts is the design of the curriculum for the new four-year medical school that is planned for El Paso. Key elements of this curriculum are community service and educational experiences within the community. Goals of the new medical school include the preparation of future physicians to listen to their patients and their understanding of the community in which the patient resides. He can be reached by calling the Office of Border Health, 915-545-6550, the Office of Curriculum Planning, 915-545-5722, or by direct e-mail, darryl.williams@ttuhsc.edu

Robert J. "Jim" Hastings, MA, is Associate Director of the Office Border Health. He also serves as West Region Program Director of the Health Education Training Centers Alliance of Texas and as Associate Director of the new Borderlands Health Careers Opportunity Program grant. His areas of interest are career field development for Promotores/Community Health Workers, binational emergency medical services training and development, health career pipeline programs and rural community development. His e-mail address is Robert.Hastings@ttuhsc.edu

Joyce Palmer, BSM is Associate Director of the Hispanic Center of Excellence, a HRSA grant in excess of $2 million over a three-year period. She manages and directs projects to enhance the performance and outcomes of junior faculty at Texas Tech and promotes higher achievement among the medical student group. Ms. Palmer has a distinguished career in post-graduate medical education and uses these skills to promote recruitment, retention, and promotion of Hispanic undergraduate and medical students as well as junior faculty. She oversees many of the Summer Enrichment Programs for undergraduate and medical students that are sponsored by the Hispanic Center of Excellence. Her e-mail address is Joyce.Palmer@ttuhsc.edu

Teresa M. Hines, MPH is the Project Director for the Health Education Training Centers Alliance of Texas, (HETCAT). Ms. Hines is responsible for the management of the HETCAT Program in keeping with the HETCAT operating guidelines. She coordinates activities and programs between the regional offices, the HETCAT Council, and our partners in Mexico. Ms. Hines acts as the liaison between the Federal Project Office and the program including the completion of annual reports and responding to special requests. Additional responsibilities include developing institutional agreements, program development, consultation, evaluation, and research. Ms. Hines interests are in supporting the recognition of Community Health Workers as an essential workforce, health workforce education policy development, and enabling local community to address their health needs. Her e-mail address is Teresa.Hines@ttuhsc.edu

Blanca Greene is our Medical Administrative Secretary who manages many operational functions of the Office of Border Health. In addition to ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly, Blanca assists the office in document development, database management, purchasing, and accountability of inventory and office accounts. She is also the Office of Border Health's designated Safety Officer. Blanca is well versed in the programs we offer in our office and is prepared to help answer any of your questions or direct you to the appropriate person who can assist you. Her e-mail address is Blanca.Greene@ttuhsc.edu

Lorenza Hernandez is our Outreach Coordinator. Ms. Hernandez has many years experience as a promotora de salud (community health worker) and a community activist. She is nationally recognized as a leader in the community health worker movement and sits on state and national boards that focus on strengthening the role of community health workers in providing health care to underserved populations. She is among the first certified community health workers in the State of Texas. She has traveled extensively, sharing her experiences as a community health worker. Her e-mail address is Lorenza.Hernandez@ttuhsc.edu

Alex Garcia, MA is Student Programs Manager within the Office of Border Health. Alex visits high schools and colleges throughout the state. He provides information to interested students about the opportunities at Texas Tech for training in the health care professions. Mr. Garcia works closely with high school administrators in the El Paso community and is also available for consultation visits to campuses throughout the state. His e-mail address is Alex.Garcia@ttuhsc.edu

Carolyn D. Mack, BS is Data Manager for the Office of Border Health. Carolyn has 17 plus years of experience in office administration and database management. This wealth of experience is essential in the handling of the HETCAT, HCOP and HCOE grants within the Office of Border Health. As Data Manager, Carolyn will be tasked with data management, monitoring, evaluating and report production for programs and projects within each grant to ensure that all programs are addressed for the community, for Texas Tech University HSC, and federally. Her e-mail address is Carolyn.Mack@ttuhsc.edu

Grace Sosa is the Administrative Assistant for the Health Education Training Centers Alliance of Texas (HETCAT) Program Office. Ms. Sosa is responsible for the day to day operations of HETCAT. This includes developing all correspondence, financial reporting, report development, administration of special projects, and the handling of a variety of meeting and workshop logistics. Additionally, Ms. Sosa interfaces with the three Regional offices, the HETCAT Council, state agencies, and local community representatives. Her e-mail address is Grace.Sosa@ttuhsc.edu