New Doctors Ease El Paso Physician Shortage

By ABC-7 Reporter/ProducerDaniel Marin

EL PASO, Texas – A bit of pain relief for El Paso’s doctor shortage came in the dosage of a graduation Thursday evening.

Texas Tech Health Science Center at El Paso graduated 59 new physicians, 12 of which will set up shop in the sun city. Another 13 graduates will take on additional training in fellowship programs around the nation with a pledge to return to El Paso.

TTHSCH at El Paso Dean Dr. Manuel De la Rosa said when Texas Tech opens the Paul L. Foster school of medicine in 2009, the school will offer incentives to retain graduates.

The Paso Del Norte Foundation has given the school funds to establish loan repayment plans.

“You can come and practice in El Paso and have those loans forgiven,” said De la Rosa, adding the city of El Paso itself may play a role in attracting and keeping future doctors. “I think they come here, spend three to five years here, and really fall in love with the community.”