New Dean Appointed
Texas Tech Health El Paso Selects New Dean of Foster School of Medicine
Texas Tech Health El Paso has named Eric M. Rohren, M.D., Ph.D., as the new Rick and Ginger Francis Endowed Dean of the Foster School of Medicine, a school established to address our Borderplex region’s critical physician shortage.
Dr. Rohren will begin his new role as the third dean of the Foster School of Medicine on Oct. 1. His arrival will mark a new chapter for the school as it builds on its mission to educate future physicians dedicated to advancing health equity in underserved communities.
“We’re excited to welcome Dr. Rohren to the Foster School of Medicine,” said Richard Lange, M.D., M.B.A., founding president of Texas Tech Health El Paso. “His experience, leadership and vision are a perfect fit for the school’s foundation of service, innovation, and community-focused education. I’m confident he will continue to advance our mission of training the next generation of world-class physicians for our Borderplex and beyond.”
Dr. Lange will step down from his role as dean but will continue to serve as Texas Tech Health El Paso president, providing continuity and leadership, as Dr. Rohren begins his tenure.
Dr. Rohren joins Texas Tech Health El Paso from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. There, he served as professor and chair of the Department of Radiology, leading over 120 faculty members across multiple health care systems, including Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Ben Taub Hospital, DeBakey VA Medical Center, and Texas Children’s Hospital. He also served as president of the Baylor Medicine Board of Governors, leading the school’s practice plan across all medical specialties.
“It is an honor to be joining the Texas Tech Health El Paso Foster School of Medicine as the next Dean,” said Dr. Rohren. “I look forward to working with the outstanding faculty, students, residents and staff to continue building the school’s impact, reach and reputation across the state of Texas and the country, while maintaining focus on the unique needs of the Borderplex region. Furthermore, I am excited to be a part of the El Paso community and experiencing all that the city has to offer.”
Prior to his tenure at Baylor, Dr. Rohren was chief of positron emission tomography (PET) at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, overseeing a team of nearly 40 faculty. Under his leadership, PET/CT volumes at the institution doubled, and the program expanded to include advanced technologies such as neuroendocrine tumor imaging.
Dr. Rohren is a recognized expert in oncologic Radiology, PET imaging, and Theranostics, speaking nationally and internationally on diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine. He is sought after for his knowledge of PET and computed tomography imaging for detecting cancer and guiding treatment. His expertise will be invaluable for Texas Tech Health El Paso’s future Fox Cancer Center, which will be home to a state-of-the-art imaging facility.
The Foster School of Medicine: Growing Our Region’s Health Care Capacity
Founded in 2009, the Foster School of Medicine has played a transformative role in improving access to care across the region. Since the school’s opening, El Paso County’s physician workforce has increased by 66% — from 1,034 to 1,715 physicians — a direct result of having a four-year medical school, and residency programs in the area.
This month, 107 students graduated from the Foster School of Medicine, including 17 El Paso natives. A record-setting 21 graduates matched into local residency programs, helping to retain top medical talent in the community. Texas Tech Health El Paso currently offers 22 residency and fellowship programs, training over 320 resident physicians across three major hospitals. Since 2013, more than 800 physicians have completed their training in El Paso through these programs.
Students at the Foster School of Medicine benefit from an innovative, community-driven curriculum. Unlike most U.S. medical schools, the Foster School of Medicine provides early clinical experience within the first year, incorporates a medical Spanish requirement, and emphasizes service learning and culturally competent care. These elements are designed to prepare students to address disparities in care that exist in underserved and bilingual populations.
Approximately 20% of the class of 2028 are from the surrounding Borderplex region, continuing the school’s tradition of educating future physicians with a deep understanding of the social and health challenges facing the community.
A New Era of Leadership Begins
Since its establishment, the Foster School of Medicine has been led by visionary deans committed to the school’s mission. In 2007, José Manuel de la Rosa, M.D., was named the school’s founding dean, laying the foundation for a bold and inclusive model of medical education. In 2014, Dr. Lange became the founding president of Texas Tech Health El Paso and served as the dean of the Foster School of Medicine. Under his leadership, the Foster School of Medicine has transformed health care in our Borderplex, driving progress in education, groundbreaking research and world-class patient care.
With Dr. Rohren at the helm, the Foster School of Medicine is poised to continue transforming health care for our Borderplex.
About Texas Tech Health El Paso
Texas Tech Health El Paso serves 108 counties in West Texas and is a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution dedicated to preparing the next generation of health care heroes. Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a uniquely innovative destination for medical, nursing, biomedical sciences and dental education.
With a focus on excellence in health care education, research, and clinical service, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,600 professionals over the past decade. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.