The University of Houston’s Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine is expanding clinical training opportunities through a new partnership with Memorial Hermann, the latest sign of the college’s rapid growth, rising reputation and increasing impact across Texas health systems.
What began just five years ago with a small cohort and limited rotation sites has quickly evolved into a broad, multi-institutional training model now supporting about 60 students per class.
“As our classes grow, so do the opportunities for our students. Our expanding partnerships across Houston and beyond are giving them more places to train, and feedback from both students and faculty has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Dr. Suzan Skef
Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship Director and Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the Fertitta College of Medicine
That growth is reflected not only in enrollment, but in the expansion of clinical training opportunities. Since opening in 2020, the Fertitta College of Medicine has grown from a handful of rotation sites to a broad network of partners across Texas.
Students now train at sites including HCA Clearlake, HCA Kingwood, HCA Women’s Care, DHR Health, St. Joseph Medical Center and Memorial Hermann Memorial City, with additional partnerships expanding opportunities in surgery, pediatrics, OB-GYN and psychiatry. Affiliations with institutions such as Texas Children’s Hospital Austin, Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi and Nexus Health further broaden students’ exposure to diverse patient populations and care settings.
Just as important as the expansion itself is how students are performing in these settings. Faculty and clinical partners report that UH medical students are making a strong impression, earning consistent praise for their preparation, professionalism and ability to contribute meaningfully to patient care — feedback that reinforces the college’s growing reputation and helps drive continued interest from new and existing partners.
“What’s most encouraging is how well our students are performing across all of these sites,” said Dr. Suzan Skef, longitudinal integrated clerkship director and associate professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the Fertitta College of Medicine. “They’re stepping into clinical environments ready to contribute, and our partners are recognizing the value they bring from day one.”
Abigail Hoeft, a second-year medical student from Cedar Park, Texas, says her internal medicine clerkship at Memorial Hermann is helping her grow both professionally and personally.
“My path to medicine really comes from a love of science and a deep commitment to helping others, especially as someone who has personally experienced the impact of strong support systems,” Hoeft said. “Through these clerkships, I’m not only building my clinical skills, but also learning more about my strengths and how I can grow as a future physician — ultimately so I can advocate for better access to preventive and supportive care, particularly for the disabled community.”
For Olga Botwinick, a second-year medical student who has called Houston home since 2011, the expanding clerkship network offers a chance to put her patient-centered philosophy into practice while navigating the complexities of internal medicine.
“I’ve always believed in treating every patient like they’re my own family, and these clerkships are helping me turn that mindset into real-world practice,” Botwinick said. “Beyond building clinical knowledge, I’m learning how to approach complex cases with both strong reasoning and a human touch — developing the skills to provide the kind of care families hope for in critical moments, backed by the expertise to truly make a difference.”