Office of the Dean

History of Our School

For over a century, the University of Texas Medical Branch has dedicated its efforts toward improving the health of society-in Texas and beyond. Since 1968, the School of Health Professions (SHP) has helped carry on this tradition, granting degrees and certificates to more than 11,000 graduates in several health professions.

Today, SHP offers

In addition to designing and implementing innovative ways to deliver instruction to students at distant locations, the school continuously explores opportunities to expand its program offerings and interprofessional learning.

Humble Beginnings

The UTMB School of Health Professions (SHP) was the first allied health school in the Southwest U.S. when it opened its doors in 1968. It established the first clinical residency in Texas (one of only 7 nationwide) in neurologic Physical Therapy in collaboration with Memorial-Hermann TIRR and Texas Woman's University. In response to the serious shortages of health professionals, the school persists on an ambitious expansion in enrollment and developing innovative new programs. SHP continues to provide outstanding opportunities in community outreach, global health, and interprofessional learning for students. In partnership with the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, SHP has created a doctoral curriculum in Rehabilitation Sciences, the first of its kind in Texas and among just a handful in North America.

Global and Local Engagement

SHP provides multi-level educational programs for a diverse group of students, colleagues, and members of the community. SHP facilitates student and faculty involvement in scientific investigation and scholarly activities that advance health care. Our faculty, staff, and administrators promote service through active participation in professional and community activities.

Learning Environment and Resources

The teaching environment of the school supports its educational purpose. The UTMB medical complex serves as one autonomous learning laboratory for all students. UTMB's six hospitals and 59 outpatient clinics, emergency room, research laboratories and four campuses located in Galveston, League City, Clear Lake and Angleton Danbury are an integral part of allied health education.

The four-story School of Health Professions/School of Nursing Building, which opened its doors in 1986, houses classrooms, laboratories, multipurpose auditoria, a Student Success Center, student lounge, and faculty and administrative offices. Additionally, students have access to a dedicated Health Education Center where learners practice and develop skill proficiency required for team-based, safe, quality patient-centered care using evidence-based methodologies and state-of-art-technology.

SHP students take advantage of the Moody Medical Library, one of the largest and most modern medical libraries in the Southwest. The Truman G. Blocker, Jr. History of Medicine Collection, for example, features thousands of rare medical books, prints, historic microscopes and medical instruments, and other medical memorabilia.

See also: UTMB Health


Site managed by the School of Health Professions • Last Updated: 29-DEC-2023