Mission Statement
The mission of the Office of Student Affairs is to be an advocate for the student as they successfully navigate the medical education pathway. We are there to help from the first day of orientation at the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine until completion of the M.D. We offer our students help and guidance in multiple areas, and our goal is to see all students develop personally, academically, and professionally into the best doctors possible.
Welcome to The Office of Student Affairs
The 2023-2024 FSOM Office of Student Affairs Medical Student Handbook explains services offered by Student Affairs. This handbook operates in conjunction with the TTUHSC El Paso Institutional Student Handbook: Code of Professional and Academic Conduct. It is the student’s responsibility to know the content of each handbook.
The Foster School of Medicine (FSOM) reserves the right to change, modify, amend, or rescind, in whole or in part, this handbook at any time without prior notice. This handbook supersedes all previous editions. The provisions of this handbook do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, between any student or faculty member and Foster School of Medicine (FSOM).
The Office of Student Affairs’(OSA) function is to help you meet your academic, personal and professional goals. As student advocates, we liaise between students and faculty, work closely with the College Mentors and the Office of Student Services and Student Engagement (OSSSE), to ensure students receive fair treatment in accordance with institutional policies. We hold informational class meetings and work with class officers in addressing student needs. We’re here to enhance your experience and facilitate communication between students, staff, faculty, and the community. It is located in the Medical Education Building (MEB), room 3314. Our hours of operation are 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., Monday through Friday, observing all institutional holidays. We look forward to working with you.
From the time a student is first admitted, we guide them through their onboarding process and collect all the required documentation This information is published in the Orientation Handbook which all new students receive upon admission. Our office continues to be responsible of ensuring all students, including visiting students, are compliant with credentialing requirements -Certified Background Check, Drug Screening, Basic Life-Support Training, HIPAA Training, N-95 Respirator fitting, Immunizations Compliance, and all Safety Trainings. through the clerkship years, as per HSCEP OP 59.06. HSCEP OP 10.20, HSCEP OP 75.11, HSCEP OP 75.12, and HSCEP OP 77.15.
The OSA assists in monitoring the academic and professional performance of students by providing individual and class career counseling, USMLE examination workshops, and academic assistance through the Office of Student Academic Support, its Student Advisors, and outside referrals. We facilitate and manage activities of the Grading and Promotion Committee (GPC) which may recommend disciplinary or corrective actions and guide the student appeal process.
Student Affairs helps students transition to residency by coordinating the Visiting Students Learning Opportunities (VSLO) program and guiding students through the Electronic Residency Application Services (ERAS) and the National Resident Match Program (NRMP). We write your Dean’s Letter -Medical Student Performance Evaluations (MSPE)- and perform additional career counseling alongside your advisor.
The Office of Student Affairs carries out the medical student Orientations, White Coat Ceremony, Match Day activities, and assists with Convocation and Graduation. In summary, we are here to ensure that students are knowledgeable about and take advantage of resources offered by the institution to aid in a successful medical school career.
Thwe Htay, M.D.
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
MEB 3321
thwe.htay@ttuhsc.edu
Glenn Yri, MSCP, NCC, LPC Associate
Director for Student Success
MEB 3318
915.215.5626
Glenn.yri@ttuhsc.edu
Maria M Cotera, M.A.
Associate Director
MEB 3314
915.215.5553
Maria.cotera@ttuhsc.edu
Jose B. Diaz Jr.
Unit Manager
MEB 3320
915.215.4817
Jose.B.Diaz@ttuhsc.edu
Karla Villa
Business Coordinator
MEB 3314
915.215.8878
Karla.Villa@ttuhsc.edu
Myrna Marquez
Coordinator
MEB 3314
915.215.6197
Myrna.Marquez@ttuhsc.edu
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