Texas finally has a school of podiatric medicine and it happens to be in Harlingen, housed within UT Health RGV, the clinical arm of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine.
With the blessing of the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, UTRGV becomes the first university in the state and one of just 10 in the entire country to teach and graduate Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). Podiatrists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle.
The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) program has also received approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the program in late 2020.
UTRGV President Guy Bailey said the new school furthers the university’s mission of improving access to quality healthcare in the Valley, where podiatrists are in high demand.
“Many people in our region who suffer from diabetes require specialty podiatric care,” he said. “We train our future doctors in the UTRGV School of Medicine to address complications from diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, and now we will be able to meet this very specific healthcare need in South Texas.”
It’s estimated that more than a quarter of Valley residents have diabetes, which can lead to foot disorders like neuropathy and infection, and can lead to amputation.
Dr. Javier Cavazos, assistant dean of clinical education for the new school, said students and faculty will serve the community through UT Health RGV, the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) program, Coastal Bend Veterans Affairs, and Federally Qualified Health Centers, 16 of which are scattered across the Valley.
“Diseases endemic to our region, like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, are a research focus for our faculty and students,” he said. “We will collaborate with the UTRGV School of Medicine and the South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute to provide evidence-based practice and medical research to our community.”
Dr. Javier La Fontaine, associate dean of academic affairs for the school, said it will produce research scientists, public health and educators as well as dedicated podiatric physicians. Gilbert Morin, the school’s director of admissions, said the tuition is among the lowest in the United States and that “we want to make this level of education available to students of all backgrounds.”
The application deadline for new students is July 20 and classes begin Aug. 8. Students can apply online at utrgv.edu/school-of-podiatric-medicine, or email [email protected] for more information.
