Chairman’s Welcome

Thanks for visiting our TTUHSC El Paso Department of Emergency Medicine webpage and spending a few minutes learning more about our school, department, residency training program, and University Medical Center of El Paso.

I am Dr. Ed Michelson, Professor and chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine. I am in my 35^th year of practice and teaching of Emergency Medicine now in my 5^th academic medical center. I came to El Paso, in April 2016 and wish to share with you some of the many things that drew me to this program

First, we are the oldest civilian emergency medicine training program inTexas. We have been preparing and graduating highly-qualified EM physicians since 1982. Many of our graduates have stayed on and joined the ranks of our faculty either in full-time or ongoing part-time employment. This speaks volumes to the loyalty and respect that our graduates have to the program that prepared them, not to mention their commitment to us.

Second, we are the only EM training program on the U.S.-Mexico border (it’s actually one mile from the fence), which results in a very interesting and diverse patient population. Our primary training sites, University Medical Center of El Paso and El Paso Children’s hospital are well-funded, well-run public hospitals supported by El Paso County. Our facilities do not look the least bit nor operate like one’s idea of a “county hospital.”  Although we are the only not-for-profit hospitals in El Paso, the only level one trauma center for over 280 miles, and the safety net facility providing care to the undocumented and un/underinsured, we still provide high quality care in a well-resourced supportive learning environment. In addition to our trauma status, we have the only comprehensive stroke program as well as a 24 hour cath lab.

Third, emergency medicine is one of over 11 departments sponsoring residency and fellowship programs, creating a great opportunity to collaborate and learn with/from colleagues in other specialties both within and outside of the ED. We share in the care of a very sick, medically complex population that is also very respectful of physicians and grateful for the care they receive.

Fourth, our department helped create and makes significant use of a world class regional simulation center, TECHS, based in the school of medicine. Multiple members of our faculty and staff provide the leadership and education within TECHS. As a result, our residents get more simulation time and experience than probably any other program in the country. Our faculty not only teach emergency medicine skills through simulation, but are themselves international leaders as well as inventors in medical simulation. We also run the West Texas Regional Poison Center with great toxicology education

Fifth, we are part of a rapidly growing health sciences campus with a four-year, 100 students per year medical school, a nursing school, a graduate school of biomedical sciences, and a new dental school now recruiting its first class.

We are proud to be part of the Texas Tech University System, but also a largely independent, separately accredited university and self-governing health sciences center in rapid evolution.

Sixth, El Paso is a great place to live, to enjoy leisure time activity, and even to raise a family. We are one of the safest mid-size cities in America, with not only low crime rates, but affordable housing, low-cost of living, no local or state income tax, friendly neighbors, and a plethora of outdoor activities. Living in Sun City in the high desert, our winters are mild with plenty of sunshine encouraging year-round outdoor fun.

Seventh, we take resident training seriously. Our program has been fully accredited for many years. Our residency leadership includes four academic EM physicians with over 20 years combined experience, fully committed to our mission of providing excellent training and graduating outstanding practitioners. Research efforts are supported by two PhD faculty, a research coordinator and associates, with multiple opportunities for residents to get involved.

In the last four years, our department has added many new faculty who come to us from a number of programs around the country. They have brought new skills, ideas and approaches to patient care making us even stronger. In addition to new faculty we have also added new training sites, clinical initiatives and experiences. Our residents graduate well-trained and well-prepared for fellowship training and for practice.

I invite you to check us out, to consider training here, as well as joining our faculty. Do not hesitate to call or email me with your questions or to learn more about us.

Sincerely,

Edward Michelson, M.D.

Professor and Chairman

Department of Emergency Medicine

Paul L. Foster School of Medicine

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso

 

Please see our employment opportunities for current open positions within our department.

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