About

We are Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine

Welcome! The Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine grew out of the University of Houston’s desire to play a greater role in improving the overall health and health care resources of this city and this state. We intend to accomplish this bold undertaking by establishing a medical school that will produce a group of graduates with a deep understanding of the social determinants of health and a commitment to providing compassionate, high-value care to underserved populations.

Overview Video

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As a primary care physician I understand the big gap in primary care in Texas and in Houston. I understand the positive impact that primary care can provide to a patient’s health and quality of life. At Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine we are a school where primary care, collegiality, respect, and compassion are valued.

- Kathryn V. Horn, M.D. Adjunct Professor, Clinical Sciences

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Primary Care as a Career

Primary care physicians are in high demand. Across the state of Texas, there is a shortage of primary care providers. The state is ranked 47^th out of 50 states in primary care physicians-to-population ratio.

An increasing and aging population and widespread demographics require new ways to access health care. Primary care physicians are the connectors to individual and community health. Through a unique and focused curriculum, it is our goal to shift the way health care is delivered to rural and urban areas in Texas.

Read Facts & Figures

Mission

Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine is accountable to society for improving the overall health and health care of the population of Greater Houston, Texas and beyond.

Educating a diverse group of physicians who will provide compassionate, high-value (high quality at reasonable cost) care to patients, families and communities, with a focus on primary care and other needed physician specialties, such as psychiatry and general surgery.
Conducting interdisciplinary research to find innovative solutions to problems in health and health care.
Providing integrated, evidence-based, high-value care delivered to patients by inter-professional teams.
Engaging, collaborating with, and empowering patient populations and community partners to improve their health and health care.

Values

As demonstrated by appreciative and active listening, a collegial manner and constructive collaboration.
As demonstrated by being mindful and reflective about our behavior, honest and authentic in relationships and evidence-based in our decisions; willing to hold oneself and others accountable to always strive for excellence.
As demonstrated by compassion, humility, openness and being supportive of the needs of others.
Reflected in our commitment to an inclusive and unbiased environment and advocacy for our community.

Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine Tour Video

Facts & Figures

Texas has a low primary care physicians-to-population ratio compared to other states, and its physician workforce is not reflective of the population.

47thOut of 50 states in primary care physicians-to-population ¹
4,800Additional primary care physicians are needed in Texas today to meet the national average ¹ ²

40%of Texans are Hispanic ³
10%of Texas’ Primary Care Physicians are Hispanic ⁴
13%of Texans are African American ³
8%of Texas’ Primary Care Physicians are African American ⁴

Sources:

Association of American Medical Colleges, 2019 Texas Physician Workforce Data Report
Association of American Medical Colleges, 2019 State Physician Workforce Data Report
U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates 2019
Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Projections of Supply and Demand for Primary Care Physicians and Psychiatrists, 2017-2030

Accreditation

The Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine has Provisional Accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) is an accrediting body for medical education programs leading to the MD degree. The College of Medicine was visited by a survey team in March 2024 and will be reviewed by the LCME in October 2024.

For more information, the LCME website is https://lcme.org and can be reached at the email address lcme@aamc.org.

The University of Houston is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). For more information, see SACSCOC University Accreditation - University of Houston.

Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine