Recognizing Resident Excellence
Texas Tech Health El Paso Chief Resident Named Prestigious Raleigh Ross Scholar
Texas Tech Health El Paso General Surgery Chief Resident Jonathan Gevorkian, M.D., has been named a Raleigh R. Ross Scholar by the Texas Surgical Society for his scholarly achievements in surgery. Dr. Gevorkian was one of only six residents from Texas general surgery residency programs to receive the honor during the 216th semiannual meeting of the Texas Surgical Society in El Paso in April.
Named after Dr. Raleigh R. Ross, a distinguished Austin surgeon remembered for his unwavering commitment to surgical education, the award recognizes Dr. Gevorkian’s years of achievements.
“Personally, it validates the hard work, time, effort and personal sacrifices we make every day toward patient care and ensuring the program runs smoothly,” Dr. Gevorkian said. “Professionally, it reassures me that I’m on the right track toward becoming a competent surgeon.”
As part of the recognition, the Texas Surgical Society provided a $13,000 grant to support Texas Tech Health El Paso’s surgery residency program. The funding will enhance resident education through workshops, simulation laboratories and guest lecturers, strengthening surgical training while ultimately improving patient care for communities across the Borderplex.
“Dr. Gevorkian's recognition as a Raleigh Ross Scholar reflects the excellence of our residents, faculty and training program, and reinforces our commitment to providing outstanding surgical care for the people of our region,” said Alan H. Tyroch, M.D., FACS, FCCM, professor and founding chair of the Department of Surgery.
The residency program produces highly skilled, practice-ready surgeons, notably because residents gain meaningful operating room experience early in their training while balancing clinical responsibilities, surgical cases, patient consultations and leadership roles.
“Our learning extends beyond the operating room,” said Dr. Gevorkian, who will continue his training at Texas Tech Health El Paso in the department’s surgical critical care fellowship program. “Our faculty teach not only medicine but also life lessons that stay with us throughout our careers.”
Dr. Gevorkian is the 11th El Paso recipient of the award. Four of those recipients, Alonso Andrade, M.D., Evan Liggett, M.D., Lee Swinney Jr., M.D., and Ellen Wicker, D.O., are surgery faculty practitioners in the Texas Tech Health El Paso Department of Surgery, inspiring and training the next generation of surgeons.
Dr. Gevorkian's path to surgery began long before medical school. Growing up, he worked alongside his family in their construction business.
“My whole life, I’ve fixed things with my hands,” said Dr. Gevorkian. “Surgery is one of those specialties that allows me not only to address and fix things directly with my own hands but also to retain and practice the cerebral side of medicine throughout my career.”
Since arriving in El Paso in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Gevorkian has witnessed the healthcare challenges facing the Borderplex, including limited access to preventive care and low health literacy, which often lead to preventable emergency surgeries.
“Having highly skilled surgeons in El Paso makes a tremendous difference,” he said. “The people of El Paso deserve access to exceptional surgical care, and I'm encouraged to see more talented surgeons choosing to build their careers here.”
About Texas Tech Health El Paso
Texas Tech Health El Paso serves West Texas and is dedicated to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals. 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.
Focusing on excellence in healthcare education, research and clinical service, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated more than 2,600 professionals in the past decade. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.