Program Overview
In addition to the core clinical rotations, fellows benefit from away rotations at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock and CVICU at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, allowing exposure to high-volume, quaternary care settings and subspecialty ICUs. This structure provides fellows with a diverse patient population and a comprehensive understanding of critical care practice across different hospital systems.
Our program is committed to producing compassionate, well-rounded intensivists who are equipped to lead in academic, community, or private practice settings. We emphasize a collaborative environment, strong mentorship, and a patient-centered approach to care.
Join us in the heart of West Texas, where innovation meets tradition, and help shape the future of critical care.
Curriculum & Coursework
- Duration: 2 years
- Primary Training Site: Medical Center Hospital, Odessa TX and Midland Memorial Hospital, Midland Tx
- Away Rotations: TTUHSC Lubbock
- Multidisciplinary Training: Medical, Surgical, Cardiovascular, Neuro, and Trauma ICUs
- Procedural Training: Central and arterial lines, mechanical ventilation, bronchoscopy, ultrasound, and more
- Didactics: Weekly lectures, journal club, simulation training, and board review sessions
- Research and QI Opportunities: Fellows are encouraged to participate in quality improvement initiatives and clinical research with mentorship from faculty.
- Scholarly Activity: Conference presentations and publication support available.
How to Apply
Admissions Requirements
View our SOM House Staff Policies and Procedures, SOM Administrative Policies, as well as a sample contract.
The Department of Critical Care Fellowship only accepts applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Information about the service may be obtained from your Dean's Office or from the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC). International medical graduates may obtain information about ERAS through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
The resident application deadline is September 1.
Please note that to be considered, all applicants must be eligible to apply for a Texas medical license. Review the Eligibility Checklist and Examination Requirements under the dropdown "Before You Apply" on the Texas Medical Board website to ensure you meet all criteria before applying.
Each applicant must be a graduate of a medical school that is approved by the Texas Medical Board or a medical school whose curriculum is accepted as equivalent to that of A Texas medical school by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. A graduate of the latter must:
- Be eligible for employment at TTUHSC.
- Process a criminal background check:
HSC OP 10.20 - Criminal Background Checks for Students, Trainees and Residents
Attachment A - Notice to Students/Trainees and Residents
Attachment C - Consent for Release of Information - Hold Harmless Agreement for Residents/Fellows
Criminal Background Check Website (Complio)
TTUHSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age or veteran status in admission, employment, access to, or treatment in its programs or activities.
Permian Basin Resident and Fellow Salaries 2025-2027
| Salaries for 2025-2027(These amounts are for the Permian Basin Campuses only) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGY-1 | PGY-2 | PGY-3 | PGY-4 | PGY-5 | PGY-6 | |
| Annual | $65,764.23 | $67,251.00 | $69,375.00 | $72,533.00 | $74,686.00 | $76,842.00 |
| Monthly | $5,480.35 | $5,604.25 | $5,781.25 | $6,044.42 | $6,223.83 | $6,403.50 |
| Previous Years' Salaries | ||||||
| Year | PGY 1 | PGY 2 | PGY 3 | PGY 4 | PGY 5 | PGY 6 |
| 2024-2025 | $61,569.96 | $62,961.96 | $64,950.00 | $66,936.96 | $68,924.04 | $70,914.11 |
| 2023-2024 | $57,650.38 | $58,953.74 | $60,815.40 | $62,675.71 | $64,535.89 | $66,398.98 |
| 2022-2023 | $55,971.24 | $57,236.64 | $59,044.08 | $60,850.20 | $62,656.20 | $64,465.03 |
| 2021-2022 | $54,341.05 | $55,569.54 | $57,324.32 | $59,077.83 | $60,831.34 | $62,587.41 |
| 2019-2021 | $54,341.05 | $55,569.54 | $57,324.32 | $59,077.83 | $60,831.34 | $62,587.41 |
| 2017-2018 | $49,729.76 | $51,352.57 | $52,974.19 | $54,594.62 | $56,215.07 | $57,837.88 |
| 2016-2017 | $48,754.67 | $50,345.66 | $51,935.48 | $53,524.14 | $55,112.81 | $56,703.80 |
| 2015-2016 | $48,754.67 | $50,345.66 | $51,935.48 | $53,524.14 | $55,112.81 | $56,703.80 |
| 2014-2015 | $48,754.67 | $50,345.66 | $51,935.48 | $53,524.14 | $55,112.81 | $56,703.80 |
*Effective 10/10/2025
Additional benefits include:
- Malpractice Coverage is $100,000 per incident and $300,00 annual aggregate
- Group Health Insurance for residents/fellows and eligible dependents
- Dental Insurance for residents/fellows and eligible dependents
- Vision Insurance for residents/fellows and eligible dependents
- Basic Life Insurance for residents/fellows and eligible dependents
- Long-term Disability Insurance for residents/fellows
- Worker's Compensation
- Vacation is approved for not more than 15 working days for PGY levels 1 & 2 and not more than 20 working days for PGY 3 and above**
- Sick Leave for up to 12 working days per year (and accumulates from year to year). Leave policies vary by program and may not apply to all programs. Program-specific leave details, including the number of days available, may be listed below.***
- Family and Parental Leaves of Absence
- Educational Leave
- Military Leave not to exceed 15 working days per year
- 8 free sessions for Individual or Family Counseling
- Eligible for voluntary TDA 403(b)
- Free parking at affiliated hospitals
- Free gym membership at Mission Fitness, MCH and MMH
**Each program sets their own vacation guidelines, not to exceed the maximum.
***Each program may set their own sick leave.
Machine Readable Files and Price Transparency Tool:
mrf.healthcarebluebook.com/IMS or imstpa.com/Legal
Military/Veteran
Explore financial resources, benefits and support available to military members and veterans.
Additional Resources
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Critical Care Partnerships in West Texas
We collaborate closely with local hospitals to offer specialized critical care services across West Texas. Our partnerships with Midland Memorial Hospital and Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, enable us to provide top-tier care, utilizing state-of-the-art technology in our operating rooms and facilities. Through these alliances, we can deliver the highest standard of critical care, including advanced procedures, testing, and preventative measures.
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Welcome to our fellowship program and thank you for taking the time to learn more about us!
Dr. Alejandra Garcia Fernandez is an Assistant Professor of Critical Care Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Permian Basin and serves as the Program Director of the Critical Care Medicine Fellowship. She completed her medical degree summa cum laude at La Universidad del Zulia in Venezuela, followed by Internal Medicine residency training at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Odessa, where she also served as Chief Resident. She pursued subspecialty training in Critical Care Medicine at Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania, where she earned recognition as “Fellow of the Year.”
Since joining the faculty at TTUHSC in 2020, Dr. Garcia Fernandez has combined her passion for clinical excellence with a strong commitment to medical education. She serves as the Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency and has played a key role in shaping its curriculum for several years before assuming the role of founder and leader of the Critical Care Medicine Fellowship as the Program Director. She has developed and led innovative teaching initiatives, simulation-based education, and career development workshops, earning multiple awards including the Outstanding Faculty Award, Dean’s Clinical Teaching Award, and the Physician Leadership Award at Medical Center Hospital.
Clinically, Dr. Garcia Fernandez is an intensivist at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, where she cares for critically ill patients in a multidisciplinary ICU and provides consultation for complex cases across specialties. She is triple board certified in Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, and Neurocritical Care, with additional expertise in advanced airway management, critical care ultrasound, and extracorporeal support. In her leadership roles, she also serves as Medical Director of the Cardiopulmonary department and the Arterial blood gas Laboratory, contributing to quality improvement and institutional policy.
Beyond her clinical and educational contributions, Dr. Garcia Fernandez is active in hospital and departmental committees and has authored peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in the field of critical care. She remains deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of physicians, fostering a culture of academic rigor, compassionate care, and leadership development within the fellowship program.
Alejandra Garcia Fernandez, MD
Program Director
TTUHSC Permian Basin Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program
Contact Us
Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Permian Basin
We're here to help. Contact us if you have questions.
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Address
701 West 5th Street
Suite 3106
Odessa, TX 79763
United States
- Phone (432) 703-5637
- Email anastazia.gonzalez@ttuhsc.edu
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Hours
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday to Friday