Four Students Selected to A&M International-UTMB Early Medical School Acceptance Program

The first four Laredo high school students accepted to the Texas A&M International University University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Early Medical School Acceptance Program (EMSAP) will be introduced as part of a parent orientation program Wednesday, May 12 at 6 p.m. at A&M International's Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library Great Room.

The students selected for the historic program are Enrique Lobo Jr., Alexander Magnet School; Amahet Pena, Martin High School; Ruth Flores, Martin High School and Erika Torres, United South High School.

Program representatives at Wednesday's event will include Dr. Billy Ballard, associate vice president for student affairs and associate dean of student affairs and admissions, School of Medicine and associate professor of pathology UTMB, Sandra Martinez-Garvock, associate director of the Hispanic Center for Excellence at UTMB and Dr. Juan H. Hinojosa, interim dean, A&M International College of Science and Technology.

Dr. Joaquin Cigarroa, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board member and Laredo physician, will provide guest remarks for the reception participants.

The EMSAP program has been designed to offer outstanding high school senior students the opportunity to enhance their competitiveness to gain admission into medical school. Participants will attend A&M International during the academic year and spend four summers of specialized training at UTMB-Galveston. After completing their pre-medical training at A&M International, they will be invited to apply to the UTMB Medical School.

A maximum of 20 students from throughout South Texas were selected for this year's highly competitive program. The program is funded in part by the Hispanic Center of Excellence at UTMB.

One of the program's objectives is to increase the competitiveness of Hispanic medical school applicants. Students are chosen from the areas served by A&M International, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, University of Texas-Brownsville and University of Texas-Pan American.

Students selected for the program are encouraged to major in Biology, Chemistry or Microbiology. All courses must be completed with a grade no lower than B and students must maintain a minimum science grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and an overall GPA of 3.2. Specific academic and personal counseling and financial assistance will be available.

Summer programs will average 28-30 hours per week and will include formally organized courses, seminars and activities. Students will attend summer sessions at the UT-Pan American campus for summer one and at UTMB-Galveston for the following two summers.

For additional information, contact A&M International faculty members Dr. Mario Garcia-Rios or Dr. Ruby Guajardo at 956.326.2445.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu