Work Force Development
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center's primary purpose is to educate health professionals to meet tomorrow's health care challenges.
The F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health has designed the Health Sciences Center's rural student-focused programs and activities to create a cohesive longitudinal approach to developing the future workforce for the region. This process begins with the West Texas AHEC Program, by promoting health careers to children from kindergarten through high school as well as encouraging these young West Texans to return to their communities to live and work.
Supporting these young people's dreams of becoming rural health care providers continues through their collegiate careers through scholarships, preparatory academies for entrance into post-graduate degree programs, and rural-focused activities.
In addition to providing cutting-edge learning opportunities to students in state-of-the-art facilities, the Health Sciences Center also focuses on developing its students' understanding of health care service in underserved settings. These opportunities for students to get hands-on experience beyond the walls of the HSC and its teaching hospital partners are critical to students' professional development.
The emphasis on rural-focused education encompasses community-based education experiences, scholarships, preparatory academies, continuing education, and a student organization.