From the Desk of the Founding Dean

UMC - Congrats to our partner in education at University Medical Center (UMC). Commissioners Court approved $152 million in bonds to renovate the hospital, the UMC annex building and purchase modern medical equipment. Most importantly, the certificates of obligation will fund four neighborhood clinics on the eastside, westside, and central, as well as a freestanding emergency room in the northeast part of town. We look forward to working with UMC and furthering our partnership of service, research and patient care.

Spring Into Wellness - Next Friday, April 19, is our Spring into Wellness event, brought to you by the TTUHSC at El Paso Employee Council as part of the Walkin’ the Talk Campus Health Initiative. It is an attempt to get staff, faculty and residents to take a break from their fast-paced schedules and shift their focus to themselves and staying healthy. It is vital that we create an environment on campus where we encourage healthy habits for positive growth - as individuals - and as a health care institution. This is why the Campus Health Initiative Committee presents monthly Walkin’ the Talk lunchtime lectures and walks for all TTUHSC employees to participate in. The committee also spearheaded the Walkin’ the Talk stairwell signage campaign encouraging individuals to take the stairs instead of the elevators. Wellness ambassadors have also been designated in many departments to boost wellness activities from within. And then there is our partnership with the City of El Paso and the sidewalk signage surrounding our campus, and that of UMC, reminding us to take a walking break or lunchtime walk.

Friday’s event is in part to THANK YOU for making TTUHSC at El Paso the institution that it is today. And what better way to say thank you than to give you a chance to recharge – in the middle of a workday – by asking you to take time to lounge on the lawn, listen to music or play volleyball. Chairs, administration and directors were asked to allow staff, faculty and residents to participate in these events – as best as possible. I requested chairs to schedule a closure of clinical care in order to facilitate the attendance of clinical personnel. However, I anticipate that some departments and divisions will need to rotate personnel equally in order for all to attend the event. I just want to make it clear – you will not be asked to take vacation, emergency, administrative or any type of leave to attend this event. All we ask is that you bring your sunscreen, hats and enjoy your mini-break! Look for further details including a schedule of events, a map of activities and the list of dunking booth dunkees in next week’s special edition of the Tech View!

Sincerely,
Jose Manuel de la Rosa, M.D.