New Vaquero MD Program in Edinburg

New Vaquero MD Program in Edinburg
Photo By Jerry Galindo

The UTRGV School of Medicine in collaboration with the Honors College introduced the Vaquero MD program last week at the Edinburg Campus. Executive Vice President of Health Affairs at UTRGV and Dean of the School of Medicine, Dr. John Krouse explains what the program will offer to incoming students.

“We are launching together with UTRGV’s Honors College the Vaqueros MD Pre-medicine Early Assurance Program, which will identify and select a number of highly talented high school students who will earn their undergraduate degrees at UTRGV. At the same time, they are accepted into our honors college.”

Three Year Medical Student Patrick Ojeaga tells more about how programs like these have affected his journey as an aspiring physician.

“There so much health disparity and to be able to come, serve this area and continue to learn to be a physician at this area. So, programs such as the MBA Assurance program are incredible for students like myself.”

President of UTRGV President Guy Bailey explained how this program is an expansion of the Tuition Advantage Program and is set to usher in a new generation of students to UTRGV.

“What we are going to talk about today, expands that program and really does things that are going to be remarkable for moving the valley forward, for moving education forward, and providing our students with the advantages that they deserve.”

UTRGV Radio Spoke with Dr. John Krouse about what specifically is next for the School of Medicine, and what students can expect for the future.

“We want to not only have students have opportunities in medicine, we want them to have opportunities in other health professions, so were working with some other health professions programs to also do early decision or early assurance programs. So in about a month from now come back and well have another conversation.”

With the application for the program opening on November 1 until January 2020, the UTRGV is set to recruit select south Texas high school students who are perusing a medical education in the RGV.