Medical School Profile
History and Purpose
On June 13, 1969, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston was
created by an act of the Legislature and an appropriation for its initial
cost was made to be effective September 1, 1969. The mission of the
Medical School is to provide the highest quality education and training
of future physicians for the State of Texas, in harmony with the state’s
diverse population; to conduct the highest caliber of research in the
biomedical and health sciences; and to provide exemplary clinical services.
Instructional Programs/Joint Programs
The Medical School program leading to a medical doctor degree has two
primary components: two years of basic science study and two years of
clinical experience. The basic science years, with the second year designed
as a bridging year, are devoted to preparing the student for the clerkship
experiences of the third and fourth years. Each student has a faculty
advisor who helps devise the student’s educational sequence and
set career goals and postgraduate educational plans. An alternate pathway
program, entered during the first year, allows a student to complete
the first year of basic science courses in two years.
The Medical School and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences participate
in a combined program leading to the MD and PhD degrees. This program
is sponsored and supported by UTHSC-H and UT M D Anderson Cancer Center,
is administered by an MD/PhD committee and involves faculty from both
institutions. The requirements for the program meet the general requirements
of both degrees in a flexible six year program.
The Medical School and the School of Public Health participate in a combined
program leading to the MD and the MPH degrees. The program is integrated
throughout a five-year period so that continuity of the dual objective
is maintained while periods of concentration alternate between the medical
and public health curricula. The requirements established for the program
meet the general requirements for both degrees.
In August 2002, the Medical School began offering a master’s degree
in clinical research. This degree program is designed as a focused, flexible,
and affordable program to train clinical investigators in designing and
conducting patient-oriented research that is of exemplary quality. The
curriculum accommodates clinicians’ busy schedules; the courses
are held one afternoon a week. The degree can be completed in two to
four years depending on the amount of time a student devotes to the program.
The curriculum for the master’s program consists of two tracks – a
patient-based clinical research track and a translational research track.
Reciprocal
Agreements
Through reciprocal agreements, students at other UT System components,
Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Women’s University
and the University of Houston may take graduate courses for credit at
UTHSC-H. In addition, UTHSC-H graduate students may take courses for
credit at any of the above institutions. Mechanisms for payment of tuition
or registration fees vary according to the individual institution.
Facilities
The nine-story Medical School Building is connected to the John Freeman
Building and bridges Ross Sterling Avenue to form one continuous structure
with Memorial Hermann Hospital. The Medical School Building contains
offices, laboratories, classrooms, lecture halls, study areas, animal
facilities, educational and biomedical communications support areas,
student lounges, a recreation center and administrative suites. Recently,
the Medical School began leasing space in the nearby Jesse Jones Library
Building for administrative functions and clinical research.
Affiliated
Hospitals
Primary affiliations are with Memorial Hermann Hospital and the Lyndon
B. Johnson General Hospital of the Harris County Hospital District. Other
major affiliates include UT M D Anderson Cancer Center, UT Harris County
Psychiatric Center and the Texas Heart Institute/St. Luke’s Episcopal
Hospital.
Group Practice
The Patient Care section includes information on the Faculty Practice
Plan (MSRDP), UT Physicians, and Affiliated Medical Services.
Organization Chart
Abby Mitchell
Medical School
Resources
Page (pdf)
Chapter (pdf)
Organization Chart (pdf)
Links
