By News and Media Relations
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – DEC. 16, 2025 – The UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine (SOPM) has achieved initial accreditation from the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME), a milestone that affirms the quality, rigor and national standing of the university’s program.
The decision, issued following a focused on-site evaluation in November, confirms that the school is in compliance with all accreditation standards and is accredited through 2029.
This accreditation marks a major step forward for a program that launched three years ago as the first and only podiatric medical school in Texas, and only the 10th podiatric medical school in the United States. The SOPM will celebrate another historic milestone this spring when it graduates its inaugural cohort.
Dr. Javier La Fontaine, dean of the UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine, said the accreditation represents years of dedication from faculty, staff, students and clinical partners across the Rio Grande Valley.
“Initial accreditation is not just a milestone, it is a powerful validation of the exceptional program we have built for our students and for the future of podiatric medicine in Texas,” La Fontaine said. “This recognition affirms our commitment to providing world-class medical education, expanding access to specialized foot and ankle care and preparing highly trained podiatric physicians who will serve communities across the Valley and beyond.”
La Fontaine added that initial accreditation strengthens the school’s ability to continue recruiting top-tier students and faculty nationwide.
UTRGV students are already performing exceptionally well on the APMLE Part I examination, posting among the highest board pass rates in the nation, a testament to the school’s strong curriculum, faculty expertise and clinical training model.
“As the first School of Podiatric Medicine in Texas, we take seriously the responsibility of shaping a new generation of leaders in the field,” he said. “This accreditation ensures that our graduates will enter residency and practice fully prepared, confident and proud to represent UTRGV.”
For more information about the UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine or recruitment opportunities for Fall 2026, visit www.utrgv.edu/school-of-podiatric-medicine.
ABOUT UTRGV
Celebrating its 10th anniversary during the 2025-2026 academic year, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is on a mission to transform the Rio Grande Valley, the Americas and the world. One of the country’s largest Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Seal of Excelencia certified, UTRGV has earned national recognition for its academic excellence, social mobility and student success since opening in Fall 2015. Ranked among the Best Colleges for your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars in 2025 by Washington Monthly (#7 nationally; #1 in Texas), UTRGV continues to break enrollment records, launch new academic and athletics programs and progress toward achieving R1 research status.
The only university in Texas with schools of Medicine and Podiatric Medicine, UTRGV’s regional footprint spans South Texas – with locations, teaching sites, and centers established in Edinburg, Brownsville, Rio Grande City, McAllen, Weslaco, Harlingen, Laredo, Port Isabel and South Padre Island.
