Welcome from the Dean
Welcome to the UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine. Our Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) program will allow you to learn with an integrated team of health professionals with a wealth of clinical opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) and beyond. Podiatric students in the charter class will embark on a journey with the enthusiastic support of administration, faculty, and staff.
Pursuing a DPM degree at UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine offers students:
At UTRGV SOPM we strive to provide all the support you need to succeed. When you graduate, you will be a valued healthcare professional and able to diagnose, assess, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the foot and ankle.
Lawrence B. Harkless, DPM
Interim Dean, UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine

The RGV’s environment and culture provide exceptional podiatric research opportunities, benefitting the area’s predominantly Hispanic population affected by diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. The School of Podiatric Medicine will collaborate with the School of Medicine and the South Texas Diabetes Obesity Institute to improve and provide high-quality healthcare in South Texas through evidence-based practice, and medical research.

The UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine prepares students to provide the highest level of care focusing on the safety, individual needs, and humanity of their patients. It is the right of each patient to be cared for by students who are supervised, possess the requisite knowledge, skills, abilities, and can recognize their limits and seek assistance as needed to provide optimal patient care.

The UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine will play an integral part in delivering health care services to local communities in the Rio Grande Valley through UT Health RGV, Area Health Education Center (AHEC) program, Coastal Bend Veterans Affairs, and Federally Qualified Health Centers. SOPM will provide a comprehensive surgical and medical management of foot and ankle care for acute and chronic conditions.
Diversity and Inclusion
The UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine seeks to attract and enroll qualified students regardless of race, gender, religion, or disability to achieve excellence and foster innovation in education, research, and patient care. SOPM is dedicated to recruiting and advancing faculty and staff of diverse backgrounds.
