Members of the TTUHSC Paul L Foster SOM faculty were proud to participate at this year's American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) conference in Boston. They presented workshops specific to curricular issues and starting a new medical school. We had seven massive displays designed to highlight several of our medical school's departments - and they were a huge hit. Attendees were able to view the displays and learn about our Medical Education Department, Medical Skills & Clinical Simulation Center, Student Affairs, Graduate Medical Education, Admissions, Research, and Curriculum. The conference was great exposure for our school. It was also a great opportunity to recognize two of our noted faculty - Hoi Ho, M.D., professor of medicine and associate dean for Faculty Affairs and Development and David Steele, Ph.D., senior associate dean for Medical Education and director of the Office of Curriculum, Evaluation and Accreditation. Their genius was difficult for attendees to miss - and I must say - they were impressed with what they saw. And finally - our junior faculty had the opportunity to network not only with colleagues, but also with peers from other medical schools - which is always a good thing! I was very proud of everyone involved.

On Wednesday, we hosted the Children's Hospital Board on the TTUHSC Paul L. Foster SOM campus. It was a chance to build academic enterprise in the new\ hospital. I look forward to working with this great team of individuals in making the Children's Hospital a beacon in the community. 

And as a result of much networking and community support, Congressman Sylvestre Reyes introduced an amendment to H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which will authorize HHS grants to assist in establishing or developing medical schools in areas in need of medical professionals (Health Professional Shortage Areas - HPSAs). My hope is that when the healthcare bill is finally enacted into law - this amendment will still be standing.

Jose Manuel de la Rosa, M.D.