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Supporting the Future of Podiatry: UTRGV’s Mission to Recruit and Train in a Region of Need

As the only state-funded podiatry school in the nation, the UTRGV is on a mission to train and retain a new generation of podiatrists ready to make a lasting impact on community health. With the growing prevalence of comorbidities from chronic diseases, diabetes, sports injuries, arthritis, and both treatable and malignant conditions affecting mobility, the need for podiatric care in Texas has never been more critical. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Podiatric Medicine is rising to meet this demand.

Filling the Gap: Why Podiatry Matters in Texas

With the nearest podiatric medical schools located over a thousand miles away in Arizona and Iowa, The UTRGV provides students from Texas and surrounding areas the opportunity to pursue a career in podiatry without leaving the region. To strengthen this pipeline, the UTRGV not only educates students, but also plans to pioneer a podiatric residency program, ensuring that graduates are fully trained to serve their communities.

“We’re facing an anticipated shortage of podiatrists across the country,” says Dr. La Fontaine, Dean of The UTRGV’s School of Podiatric Medicine. “This is our opportunity to put more professionals in a place that needs it."

The UTRGV is uniquely positioned to address healthcare disparities in Texas, particularly within the predominantly Hispanic population it serves—a group that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is 17% more likely to have Type 2 diabetes and related complications than non-Hispanic individuals. Dr. La Fontaine points out that diabetes rates are climbing upwards of 30% in the Rio Grande Valley, highlighting the urgent need for specialized care. This connection allows the UTRGV students to train and practice in the areas where they are most needed, making the university a critical institution for podiatric education, not only for students but for the state of Texas as a whole. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services Center for Health Statistics, 171 of Texas' 254 counties have no podiatrists. This gap underscores UTRGV's pivotal role in meeting regional healthcare needs and in encouraging students from Texas and surrounding areas to pursue podiatry as a rewarding career path.

The UTRGV’s recruitment initiatives are laser-focused on finding students passionate about healthcare and service. “We’re looking for students who have an interest in really making a difference in a community and have a strong science background,” explains Dara Newton, Associate Vice President of Strategic Enrollment. Through targeted outreach including webinars, campus events, and engagement starting in high school, The UTRGV educates prospective students about the impact of podiatric medicine and its unique rewards, aiming to attract those who see it as a calling.

A Cutting-Edge Educational Experience

With state-of-the-art facilities, such as a biomechanics lab and the soon-to-open Limb Preservation Clinic within the new Diabetes Center of Excellence, The UTRGV provides students with hands-on training in a real-world context. Graduates leave the program with not only clinical expertise but also a deep understanding of the cultural and socioeconomic factors that affect health outcomes, particularly in Hispanic communities. The UTRGV also prioritizes affordability, enabling students to focus on community service without the burden of excessive debt.

This fall, the program welcomed its third cohort, bringing total enrollment to 83 students. “Our current cohort is deeply invested in the mission,” says Dr. La Fontaine, expressing his admiration for their commitment to strengthening Texas’s healthcare landscape. “They take it to heart to serve the community and do it together.”

James Hughes, a student at The UTRGV’s School of Podiatric Medicine, explains why he chose this field: “Podiatry offers a blend of clinical work and complex surgeries that captured my interest. My true passion became those intricate cases that require reconstructive surgery—making a lasting impact to help patients walk again.” He was drawn to UTRGV because its new program stood out to him, particularly due to its distinguished faculty of renowned experts.

Step Up for Podiatry: Support The UTRGV’s Mission to Grow the Profession

Dr. La Fontaine calls on the broader healthcare community to recognize podiatry as a crucial medical specialty. “Podiatry offers significant personal and professional growth opportunities, yet it’s often overlooked,” he says. “We’re always ready to meet with anyone interested in this field, at any time.” Newton echoes this sentiment, encouraging support from the medical community to raise awareness about the impact of podiatric care. “If you’re in a position to support, educate, or advocate, please reach out,” she urges.

Dr. Matthew Meeks, Executive Director of the Texas Health Education Service, reinforces this call for action, highlighting TXHES’s commitment to expanding awareness.

“At TXHES, we are uniting colleagues from across Texas to raise awareness within the pre-health community about the urgent need for more podiatric physicians in this vital field within our state. Our goal is to inspire interest and establish pathways into the profession, particularly for younger individuals and others who may not have previously considered this career but possess the potential to excel in it,” Dr. Meeks says.

While a national shortage persists, the collaborative efforts of TXHES and its member institutions demonstrate that, together, we can make a lasting impact.
By advancing education and fostering advocacy, we can cultivate the next generation of podiatric professionals and raise awareness of the importance of this essential field.

For more information about the UTRGV’s program and mission, visit the UTRGV SOPM website. By supporting this groundbreaking program, you’re helping build a healthier future for communities across Texas.