The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) is expanding its medical training programs with the launch of a new general surgery residency in Amarillo, set to begin in 2026. The program, which recently received accreditation, will be the latest addition to TTUHSC’s 41 residencies and fellowships across its three campuses.
Recruitment for the residency will begin this year, with the first cohort of residents starting on July 1, 2026. The program will support a total of 14 residents, accepting two categorical residents per year and two preliminary residents for the first year, with an option for an additional post-graduate year.
Addressing a Critical Need in Rural Health
TTUHSC emphasizes that the program will provide specialized training tailored to the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural and underserved communities. Clinical training will take place across multiple Amarillo healthcare institutions, including Northwest Texas Healthcare System, BSA Health System, Texas Oncology, and Texas Tech Physicians Surgery. Additionally, TTUHSC has partnered with Houston Methodist Hospital and Hereford Regional Medical Center to offer transplant and rural surgery experience.
The new residency program comes at a crucial time for Texas healthcare. A 2024 study by the Association of American Medical Colleges found that 67% of medical residents who train in Texas remain in the state to practice. With Texas ranking 39th in the nation for rural healthcare—receiving a grade of "F" in a 2023 Rural Health Quarterly study—the need for more trained physicians in these areas is urgent.
Despite an overall increase in healthcare providers, the Texas Medical Association reports that the physician shortage remains particularly severe in rural regions. By training new surgeons in Amarillo, TTUHSC aims to increase access to essential surgical care in communities that need it most.
