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UT Health RGV dermatologist urges protection from sun, harmful UV rays
- As the sun shines down on us, so do its ultraviolet rays. This month, Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month, highlights the importance of keeping safe from UV exposure and reminds the community to stay protected from the sun’s potentially...
- Friday, July 22, 2022
- School of Medicine and Vice President for Health Affairs
Welcome from the Dean
It is a great privilege to join The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine. UTRGV and the SOM are having a significant impact on the region through innovative medical education programs, advanced research, and high-quality clinical services. We develop medical students, residents, and scientists into the future providers and leaders who will advance our mission: improving the healthcare of the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.
We achieve our mission through education, clinical care, discovery, leadership, and service. At UTRGV SOM, we are developing the next generation of servant leaders, diverse physicians and scientists, and compassionate healthcare providers. We have medical residents and fellows serving in 19 hospital-based training programs across the Rio Grande Valley, and new programs underway to meet the region’s demand for quality primary and specialty care physicians.
We will positively impact the lives of so many by taking care of the people of the Rio Grande Valley - now and in the future. Being named Dean of this school with such an important mission is an incredible honor. I see my purpose as being a servant leader in providing support to the incredibly talented students, faculty, and staff who impact the patients of the RGV. The UTRGV SOM is an evolving medical school I am privileged to be part of SOM’s transformative growth and ability to offer expert training to its diverse learners.
I look forward to welcoming you to UTRGV SOM and empowering you to find your niche in medical research and clinical training. Through a strong commitment to serving the needs of the community, quality education, and patient care, we will transform the region.
Michael B. Hocker, MD, MHS
Dean, UTRGV School of Medicine

222
MEDICAL STUDENTS

249
RESIDENTS & FELLOWS

166
FACULTY MEMBERS

56
PHD SCIENTISTS
Education and Admissions
Resources
Research
At UTRGV School of Medicine, our research teams are conducting innovative medical research to improve the quality of health for families of the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. We are advancing multidisciplinary research at all of our labs and institutes across the Rio Grande Valley to help bring new treatments and medical advances for improving health care.
Explore ResearchPatient Care
UT Health RGV, the clinical practice of the UTRGV School of Medicine, offers a variety of primary and specialty care services to people of all ages. With over 120 board certified and fellowship-trained doctors providing more than 30 medical specialties across 20 locations valley wide, discover how UT Health RGV is transforming the quality of patient care in the RGV.
Visit UT Health RGVCommunity
The UTRGV School of Medicine is dedicated to building a healthier and stronger community. Our initiatives such as the UniMovil mobile health clinic and Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) provide primary and preventative care services to patients in medically underserved areas as part of our mission to improve the health of individuals and families in the Rio Grande Valley.
Learn MoreDiversity and Inclusion
The UTRGV School of Medicine provides a diverse and inclusive environment for all UTRGV School of Medicine faculty, students, and staff. Our focus is to attract and support individuals with diverse backgrounds and life experiences to achieve excellence and foster innovation in education, research, and patient care.

News
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Honored to Serve: U.S. Airman receives white coat on Fourth of July weekend
- For Jose Victor Delgado, a Rio Grande Valley native and Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, the Fourth of July has special meaning this year as he and 117 UTRGV School of Medicine students received their white coats on Saturday.
- Saturday, July 02, 2022
- School of Medicine and Vice President for Health Affairs
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UTRGV granted candidacy for state’s first School of Podiatric Medicine
- UTRGV is now the first university in the Texas – and one of only 10 in the nation – ready to prepare and graduate Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPM).
- Wednesday, June 15, 2022
- School of Medicine and Vice President for Health Affairs