Continuing Medical Education

Through the integration of Faculty Development and Accredited Continuing Education (CME/CPD), the Office of Professional Development and Accredited Continuing Education (OPDACE) supports the growth of faculty, clinicians, and the interprofessional healthcare team across West Texas. Serving metro and rural communities throughout Lubbock, the Permian Basin, Amarillo, and surrounding regions, we deliver inclusive, evidence-informed education grounded in adult learning and lifelong learning principles.

The information and activities on this website are produced and accredited through TTUHSC OPDACE. We have office representations in Lubbock, Odessa, and Amarillo, servicing activities provided by these campuses. We cannot provide information regarding activities offered by other institutions, such as TTUHSC El Paso. If you need information about activities provided by other Texas Tech University System institutions, please contact their TTUHSC El Paso CME/CPD office directly.

Some independent marketing sites may include information about TTUHSC OPDACE activities. We do not have any affiliations with external marketing sites and do not ensure the accuracy of the information posted on these sites.

Registration for courses managed by TTUHSC OPDACE can only be completed through our portal. Course registrations made through other sites cannot be honored. TTUHSC OPDACE will not refund fees that were made through unaffiliated registration sites. Please report any unauthorized websites or solicitations for registrations to opdace@ttuhsc.edu

Amarillo Conferences

• Geriatric Oncology
• Panhandle Neonatal-Perinatal Symposium
• OB Symposium: High-Risk OB

Lubbock Conferences

• Breast Cancer Symposium
• Colorectal Cancer Symposium
• Health Disparities Research Symposium
• Update in Heart Failure Management
• Summer Symposium on Hospital Medicine
• Joint Accreditation Celebration
• Mental Health Conference
• Trauma and Critical Care Symposium
• UMC Provider Education & Well-Being Symposium

Multi-campus Conferences 

• Human Trafficking Conference

Mission Statement

The TTUHSC Office of Professional Development and Accredited Continuing Education (OPDACE) supports the growth of faculty, clinicians, and the interprofessional healthcare team across West Texas.

Serving metro and rural communities throughout Lubbock, the Permian Basin, Amarillo, and surrounding regions, OPDACE delivers inclusive, evidence-informed education through main and extension offices that reach geographically dispersed healthcare providers.

Our mission is to advance professional development by offering accessible, needs-based education grounded in adult learning and lifelong learning principles. Programs aim to enhance teaching, leadership, scholarship, and the performance of healthcare teams.

The expected results are improvements in the skills, strategies, or performance of the healthcare team and, when feasible, patient outcomes. OPDACE evaluates impact through performance-based assessments and selectively measures patient outcomes for applicable activities.

Vision Statement

The TTUHSC OPDACE envisions becoming a national leader in faculty development and accredited continuing education, empowering healthcare professionals and educators through accessible, interprofessional programs that enhance teams, outcomes, and community health.

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) has a long and respected history in continuing education. In 1974, TTUHSC established the Office of Educational Development and Continuing Medical Education to support the professional growth of healthcare providers. Accreditation for CME was officially granted in 1976 by the Liaison Committee for Continuing Medical Education, and in 1985 TTUHSC earned its initial accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. Subsequent reaccreditations in 1991, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013, and 2019 reflect the institution’s ongoing commitment to educational excellence and lifelong learning.

In July 2023, TTUHSC achieved Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education, joining a select group of institutions recognized for advancing education that brings healthcare professionals together to improve patient care. Joint Accreditation is the nationally accepted framework for developing and delivering continuing education that supports the collaborative practice of the healthcare team. It allows TTUHSC to provide continuing education for multiple professions within one unified system, ensuring that physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, psychologists, physician assistants, dietitians, therapists, and athletic trainers learn with and from one another. This framework strengthens communication, enhances collaboration, and leads to measurable improvements in skills, strategies, performance, and ultimately patient outcomes.

In 2025, TTUHSC combined the Office of Faculty Development and the Office of Accredited Interprofessional Continuing Medical Education to create the Office of Professional Development and Accredited Continuing Education (OPDACE). This integration unites faculty development and accredited continuing education under one mission. By bringing these areas together, TTUHSC established a single, comprehensive resource for professional learning that supports educators in teaching and leadership, clinicians in maintaining clinical excellence, and healthcare teams in applying evidence-based strategies that improve care. The integration enhances consistency in educational quality, encourages collaboration across schools and campuses, and strengthens TTUHSC’s ability to evaluate and demonstrate learning outcomes.

Today, OPDACE supports the growth of faculty, clinicians, and healthcare professionals throughout Lubbock, the Permian Basin, Amarillo, and surrounding regions. Through inclusive and evidence-informed education grounded in adult learning and lifelong learning principles, OPDACE helps faculty deliver and evaluate curriculum that leads to meaningful change in skills, strategies, performance, and patient outcomes.

Our goal is to help our learners and their teams deliver the highest quality of care. Through continuous learning, collaboration, and professional growth, OPDACE empowers every member of the healthcare team to make a lasting difference in patient care and community health.

Leadership Recognition

Cynthia Ogaz, D.B.A., M.B.A., CHCP, Managing Director of TTUHSC OPDACE, has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions (ACEhp). This national leadership role reflects TTUHSC’s growing contribution to advancing innovation, collaboration, and quality in continuing education for the healthcare team.

Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education

With Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education, OPDACE demonstrates its commitment to improving healthcare by advancing the skills, strategies, and performance of the healthcare team. Joint Accreditation recognizes organizations that design and deliver education for multiple professions working together to improve patient care. This distinction allows OPDACE to provide accredited learning that promotes collaboration, enhances communication, and strengthens team-based practice across all health disciplines.

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In support of improving patient care, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

TTUHSC OPDACE is authorized to award AMA PRA credit, ANCC credit, ACPE credit, and IPCE credit. Additionally, we now extend credit opportunities to physician assistants, social workers, and psychologists.

The Amarillo office supports Faculty Development initiatives through logistical coordination and assists in following the established accreditation process for Accredited Continuing Education (ACE) activities.

The Odessa office provides logistical support for Faculty Development programs and ensures adherence to the accreditation process for Accredited Continuing Education (ACE) activities.

Lubbock (Main Office)

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Office of Professional Development and Accredited Continuing Education (OPDACE)
3601 4th Street, Stop 7113
Lubbock, Texas 79430
Email: opdace@ttuhsc.edu 
T: (806) 743-2929
F: (806) 743-2934

Leadership

Allan Haynes, Jr., M.D., FACS
allan.haynes@ttuhsc.edu
Associate Dean for Faculty Recruitment, Affairs & Professional Development
Professor, Department of Urology

Brian D. Schroeder, M.D., M.B.A., FACP
Brian.Schroeder@ttuhsc.edu
Assistant Dean for Faculty Recruitment, Affairs & Professional Development
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine
Regional Dean, Odessa Campus

Cynthia Ogaz, D.B.A., M.B.A., CHCP
cynthia.ogaz@ttuhsc.edu
Managing Director

Edgar Fuentes, B.S., CHWI
Edgar.Fuentes@ttuhsc.edu
Assistant Managing Director

Faculty Development and Accredited Continuing Education Staff

Brandel Quiros
bquiros@ttuhsc.edu
Program Coordinator

D.J. Stevens
dj.stevens@ttuhsc.edu
Program Coordinator

ShaBre' Wilson
Shabre.Wilson@ttuhsc.edu
Program Coordinator

Vacant
Analyst, Budget & Financial

Jolene Turpin
Jolene.Turpin@ttuhsc.edu
Unit Manager, Faculty Development

Amarillo

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Office of Professional Development and Accredited Continuing Education (OPDACE)
1400 Wallace Boulevard
Amarillo, Texas 79106
T: (806) 414-9563
F: (806) 354-5781

Candy Lemme
candy.lemme@ttuhsc.edu
Unit Manager

The Amarillo office supports Faculty Development initiatives through logistical coordination and assists in following the established accreditation process for Accredited Continuing Education (ACE) activities.

Odessa

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Office of Professional Development and Accredited Continuing Education (OPDACE)
701 West 5th Street, Suite 1234
Odessa, Texas 79763
Email: PB.CME@ttuhsc.edu
T: (432) 703-5338
F: (432) 335-5332

Milagros Rodriquez, M.Ed.
Milagros.Rodriquez@ttuhsc.edu
Program Coordinator

The Odessa office provides logistical support for Faculty Development programs and ensures adherence to the accreditation process for Accredited Continuing Education (ACE) activities.

Each activity begins by identifying the educational and professional development needs of the healthcare team. Gaps are determined through data, research, and direct feedback from faculty and clinicians. Objectives are developed to enhance teaching, improve clinical practice, and strengthen team performance and patient outcomes.

Interprofessional planning committees design activities that allow participants to learn with, from, and about one another. Programs integrate adult learning principles and real-world application, supporting faculty in improving their teaching and leadership skills while helping clinical teams improve care delivery.

Evaluation is conducted after every activity to assess learning outcomes and intent to change. A follow-up evaluation measures the actual impact on performance and team collaboration. When appropriate, OPDACE partners with departments and external organizations to review quality indicators and identify opportunities for continued growth.

Results are reviewed to determine how activities influence knowledge, teaching effectiveness, interprofessional teamwork, and—when measurable—patient or system outcomes. Findings inform future programming and faculty development initiatives, ensuring continuous improvement in education and healthcare delivery.

Our commitment encompasses addressing geographic disparities, fostering an interprofessional approach, and conducting robust assessments, all contributing significantly to TTUHSC's mission of delivering high-quality, community-centered accredited continuing medical education. Join us in shaping the future of continuing medical education through collaborative partnerships that empower healthcare professionals and enhance patient outcomes. If interested in partnering with us, please click here to answer some questions.

Discover the rich history of accredited continuing education, dedication to interprofessional training, and a commitment to excellence that defines TTUHSC. Our comprehensive four-step approach ensures the delivery of high-quality education, fostering a learning environment that encourages innovation, research, and collaboration across healthcare disciplines.

At TTUHSC OPDACE, our dynamic continuum of educational opportunities includes live activities, conferences, enduring materials, regular schedule series, learning from teaching, and various other activities. Our team specializes in logistical event planning, ensuring seamless execution of educational activities. With in-house IT support, editing, and marketing services, we facilitate engaging and enriching learning environments for healthcare professionals. In addition to core offerings, our CHW services address community needs.

The Office of Professional Development and Accredited Continuing Education (OPDACE) offers a wide range of educational opportunities for continuing education credit. These include annual conferences, weekly or monthly Grand Rounds, Faculty Development sessions, and other activities held throughout the year—both in-person and online.

By subscribing to one or more lists below, you will receive email updates about activities that match your selected interests. You may unsubscribe at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link included at the bottom of each message.

The Office of Continuing Medical Education has many educational opportunities available for continuing education credit. Some of these activities are annual conferences, some are weekly or monthly Departmental Grand Rounds, and some activities are on an "as needed" basis. By subscribing to one or more lists below, you will receive an email with information regarding activities related to your request. You may "unsubscribe" from any list by clicking on the "unsubscribe" link provided at the bottom of each email.?