MD program 'storm' subject of UNTHSC meeting

Suit coats, white coats, and white T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan “Don’t mess with TCOM” were at the UNT Health Science Center this afternoon as the UNT System’s Board of Regents held a special meetings for various groups and individuals to voice their opinions on the question of whether the Health Science Center should add an allopathic MD program to its educational offerings.

While the issue has created diverse opinions among the local medical community, which is made up of allopathic physicians as well as doctors of osteopathy—many of whom graduated from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, the two-hour meeting was very cordial and the various police officers on campus weren’t called upon.

Dr. David Garza, current president of the TCOM Alumni Association, called the dissention around the school a storm that has pitted those who believe the school should add an MD program against those think it should remain exclusively osteopathic.

“The board is here to listen and to learn,” said. Gayle Strange, chairman of the Board of Regents, at the opening of the meeting.

Prepared remarks were presented by representatives of the MD Degree Study Group gave background information about how the university has considered the question and some of these representatives also gave their own opinion on the matter. Individuals representing the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, the Tarrant County Medical Society and other groups also either voiced their opinion or asked the board to demand more details.

“What we have right now is a lot of emotion, but we don’t have a lot of data,” said Dr. Melissa Garretson, an MD and the president of the TCMS.

After the presentations, individuals who had registered ahead of time were allotted three minutes to voice their opinion on the matter. Twenty-eight people were able to speak—47 had signed up—but those for an MD program and those opposed were fairly well split, while a few only voiced concern over making a decision with current information and a desire for more details.

At the end of the meeting, Strange encouraged those would werenÂ’t able to speak to submit written opinions and said the board does not anticipate taking any action at the next meeting in May. She asked that the Health Science Center be able to present proposals and have a plan in place for the August or November board meeting, though.

For more information about the issue and the MD Degree Study Group, visit www.hsc.unt.edu/sites/StudyGroup/.

 ebassett@bizpress.net