Chairman’s Welcome

Thanks for visiting our Texas Tech Health 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 in Texas. We have been preparing and graduating highly qualified emergency medicine 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 for the program that prepared them, not to mention their commitment to us.

Second, we are the only emergency medicine training program on the U.S.-Mexico border, 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. Although we are the only not-for-profit hospitals in El Paso, the only Level 1 trauma center for over 280 miles, and the safety-net facility providing care to undocumented and uninsured or underinsured patients, 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 catheterization lab.

Third, emergency medicine is one of more than 11 departments sponsoring residency and fellowship programs, creating a great opportunity to collaborate and learn with colleagues in other specialties both within and outside of the emergency department.

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 leadership and education within TECHS. We also run the West Texas Regional Poison Center, which provides great toxicology education.

Fifth, we are part of a rapidly growing health sciences campus with a four-year medical school, a nursing school, a graduate school of biomedical sciences, and a dental school.

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, enjoy leisure activities, and raise a family. We are one of the safest mid-size cities in America, with low crime rates, affordable housing, a low cost of living, no local or state income tax, friendly neighbors, and a wide range of outdoor activities.

Seventh, we take resident training seriously. Our program has been fully accredited for many years. Research efforts are supported by two Ph.D. faculty, a research coordinator, and associates, with multiple opportunities for residents to get involved.

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

Sincerely,

Edward Michelson, M.D.
Professor and Chairman
Department of Emergency Medicine
Foster School of Medicine
Texas Tech Health El Paso

Please see our Department of Emergency Medicine employment opportunities for current open positions within our department.

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