Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program

Two medical professionals in white coats, one with a Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine badge, working together in a clinical setting with medical equipment in the background.

Critical Care Medicine Fellowship – Permian Basin (2-Year Program)

Application Deadline | September 1, 2025
Next Start Date | July 1, 2026

The Critical Care Medicine Fellowship at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center - Permian Basin is a rigorous and rewarding two-year ACGME-accredited training program designed to prepare physicians for a dynamic career in the management of critically ill patients across diverse healthcare settings. Located in the unique and growing region of the Permian Basin, our fellowship offers a balance of high-acuity, hands-on clinical experience and academic excellence. Fellows receive broad exposure to both medical and surgical intensive care, with dedicated time in multidisciplinary units including cardiovascular, neurocritical, and trauma ICUs. Training is primarily based at Medical Center Hospital and Midland Memorial Hospital.

Information for Applicants

Find out more about our program and how to apply through ERAS here.

In addition to the core clinical rotations, fellows benefit from away rotations at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, 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.

Key Features:

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.

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.

Applications will be taken through ERAS.

Application Process

The Department of Cardiology 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).

Resident Application Deadline is September 1, 2025.

Competitive Compensation and Benefits for Fellows

We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional growth and personal well-being. Details regarding compensation, health coverage, retirement plans, and other benefits are available upon request or through our HR department.

Click here for more information.

PGY5

Nathaniel Rodriguez, MD

Abira Usman, MD

PGY4

Maaz Ansari, MD

Juan G. Salazar Castillo, MD

Cardiology Care Partnerships in West Texas

We collaborate closely with local hospitals to offer specialized cardiology 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 cardiology care, including advanced procedures, testing, and preventative measures.

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, Critical Care Medicine Fellowship