Rounds

ROTATIONS STUDENT CELEBRATION RESEARCH CORNER HEALTH SCENE Rounds Connecting with TTUHSC Alumni

In the Beginning, T here Was Innovation

In 1974, the new School of Medicine built a television studio — along with classrooms, clinics and laboratories. “The faculty didn’t want to just be talking heads at the front of the classroom,” said Robert Rees, the school’s fi rst coordinator of television and cinematography and fi rst director of the studio. “Students would watch procedural situations on the television and could check out videos at the library.”

Since inception, TTUHSC’s foundation was built on innovation. “At the time, we didn’t know of any other medical schools enhancing curriculum in this way,” Rees added. “It was very ambitious, and I’m very proud of the work we accomplished in the early years.”

PROVIDED BY ROBERT REES Scan with your phone camera to watch a year in review produced by Robert Rees in 1977.

HEALTH CARE COMES FULL CIRCLE

Cameron Studzinsk i heard his mom talk for years about the doctor who delivered him. In August, Studzinsk i met that doctor, Kamlesh Varma, MD, at the white coat ceremony. “My mom still remembers the care she received from Dr. Varma. I’m excited to start my journey in patient care.”

Cameron Studzinsk i , a fi rst-year medical student, with Kamlesh Varma, MD, the obstetrician who delivered him in 1999.

CEREMONIAL NUMBERS

Aspiring audiologists, pharmacists, physicians and physical therapists began their journey into health care by receiving their white coats from TTUHSC in August 2021, a symbol of their future careers.

581

Students received white coats in 2021 from Schools of Heath Professions, Medicine and Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy.

>2K

Students have graduated from the Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy since 2000.

93%

Of graduates in the School of Health Professions Doctor of Audiology program fi nd jobs within one year of graduation.

99%

Of graduates in the School of Health Professions Doctor of Physical Therapy program pass the licensure exam the fi rst time.

51%

Of graduates from the School of Medicine have remained in Texas to complete residency training over the past fi ve years. One-fi fth of School of Medicine graduates have remained in a TTUHSC program for residency training.

From Patient to Advocate to Research Scientist

BETH DAUGHERITY SEEKS BETTER OUTCOMES FOR PATIENTS LIKE HER

I HAD TO BE MY OWN ADVOCATE

I was the only person I knew that had shortness of breath as a premenstrual symptom — and it had been happening for 15 years. I was never taken seriously.

We were investigating my symptoms , and none of them fi t the diagnoses presented to me. In 2015, my lung collapsed nine times. After the second collapse, I had surgery and a biopsy was conducted that the medical team sent to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, to one of the premier lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) experts in pathology . It was confi rmed I had LAM — a disease caused by abnormal growth of smooth muscle cells that leads to holes or cysts forming in the lungs .

WE’RE PIONEERING NEW SCIENCE

I started my PhD in 2019 and joined the team working for Magdalena Karbowniczek, MD, PhD, at the Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy in Abilene. The best part of being in the program at TTUHSC has been the collaborative spirit.

I have sporadic LAM, so naturally, that’s my curiosity. For my dissertation, I also plan to study diff erent hormonal pathways. We know estrogen is a driving factor, but I suspect that there are other hormones.

IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT MY OWN OUTCOMES

I’m part of a NIH research trial studying LAM, which is incredible.

It is the most empowering thing as a patient to participate in research trials and promote a better life, better understanding or better treatments for those who come after us. As a researcher, I need to promote patient advocacy and tailor treatments in line with their life goals.

Acts of Service

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1 | Peter Grant, MD, (Medicine ‘82) visits his alma mater to speak with students about physical medicine and rehabilitation. 2 | TTUHSC in Amarillo hosts a bone marrow registry drive to benefi t children like Logan. 3 | TTUHSC Doctor of Physical Therapy students assist the South Plains Food Bank in cleaning up the organization’s property. 4 | London, a service dog and offi cial employee of TTUHSC, visits students as they prepare for exams. 5 | Logan Winkleman, PhD, LPC, program director in the Department of Clinical Counseling and Mental Health, leads a quilling class for students to relieve stress.