Scope

QUICK DOSE TTUHSC TOGETHER FACULTY PROFILE FOR THE RECORD Scope News Views from TTUHSC

No Escaping This Lesson

When H.W., an 85-year-old nursing home resident, is taken to the emergency department complaining of pain in his chest, shoulder and jaw, a team of 10 TTUHSC students has 45 minutes to develop and execute a care plan. Full transparency : H.W. isn’t real, the facility is actually a simulation lab in the University Center in Lubbock, and the students’ tools include lockboxes, a Rubik’s cube and a Sudoku puzzle. The “Escape Room Challenge,” an annual event sponsored by the TTUHSC Offi ce of Interprofessional Education, invites students from multiple disciplines to work together in deciphering clues and completing puzzles to help their virtual patients. Participants earned IPE credit— a graduation requirement for all degrees— a nd many came away with greater appreciation for the value that each discipline brings to a given situation.

I Heard That!

Snippets voiced around the university

“When I get upset, I take a break and clean my bathrooms. I’m surprised the porcelain in my bathtub is still holding up, but taking a 90-second pause to allow room for the emotions can prevent an emotional reaction that might be harmful.”

-Tanya Fraley, TTUHSC Office of

People Development, “Balancing Brain and Heart” webinar.

“When you hear and see the presentations, I hope it is through the eyes of a parent. I hope you think about the devastating effects this would have if your child were caught up in this unimaginably horrific nightmare.”

-Richard Jordan, MD, School of

Medicine dean in Amarillo, Laura W.

Bush Institute for Women’s Health

Sex Trafficking Symposium.

“We have a loss of language but not intelligence.”

A HALF-CENTURY OF PARTNERSHIP

“The one word that comes to mind when thinking about TTUHSC Amarillo is partnership,” said School of Medicine Regional Dean Richard Jordan, MD. In its 50 years, TTUHSC in Amarillo has collaborated with local universities, brought innovation through SiMCentral and the InfantRisk Center, and cared for the underserved communities. TTUHSC’s dedication to the Northern Panhandle is something to celebrate.”

TTUHSC in Amarillo hosts an internal medicine grand rounds presentation in 1984. -Leslie “Les” Biffle, Stroke Aphasia

Recovery Program member, “Here

Comes the Sun,” music video.

“Dr. Min Kang has been bringing me up to speed on a large volume of information as it pertains to the Office of Research, so I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to her. She’s shared her cell phone number with me so I will have the opportunity to benefit from her extensive knowledge into the future as well. She’s done an amazing job.”

-Lance McMahon, PhD, newly appointed senior vice president of the Office of Research and Innovation, TTUHSC President’s Advisory Board meeting.

Scan with your phone camera to watch the STAR Summer Arts Program music video, “Here Comes the Sun.”

Medicine and Genetics Collide

Vijay Tonk, PhD, DABMGG , FACMGG Professor, Department of Pediatrics Director, Prenatal Genetic Laboratory School of Medicine

Vijay Tonk , P hD, DABMGG , FACMGG , works at the place where medicine and genetics meet, focusing on genetic causes of developmental disorders like Down syndrome, birth defects like hydrocephalus, and cancers like childhood and adult leukemias.

If a child had developmental disabilities or autistic behaviors, you’re the one who does the genetic analyses for those problems, right?

Yes, I receive blood samples from pediatricians when their patient is not meeting developmental milestones, has birth defects of the heart or intestine, or has later intellectual disability with autistic behaviors. My laboratory performs chromosome and DNA testing that will fi nd the cause of the child’s problem, like the extra copy of chromosome 21 (trisomy 21) that causes Down syndrome.

Where does pediatric cancer fi t into your work?

I developed a state-of-the art laboratory for pediatric cancer testing, one of only a few labs in the country certifi ed by the national oversight agency of hematologist-oncologists called the Children’s Oncology Group. My testing addresses all types of child and adult cancers with important implications for diagnosis and therapy.

You primarily work with physicians and rarely meet the patients themselves. Is that strange for you?

Many physicians are unfamiliar with our new DNA technology and are uncomfortable explaining it to patients. I am happy to explain these complicated results to people and always tell them: “Why don’t you come visit me? I’m here all the time. Just come.”

Stat!

“ The pandemic drove me to pursue a long-time passion for mental health and wellness.”

CARLA HASKINS, STUDENT, SCHOOL OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING PROGRAM

“ The growth in our enrollment and success of our students and graduates is amazing.”

— DARRIN D’AGOSTINO, DO, MHP, MBA

PROVOST AND CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER

100%

RESIDENCY PLACEMENT IN THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND JOB PLACEMENT FOR THOSE SEEKING EMPLOYMENT UPON GRADUATION FROM THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS IN 2021.