A message from Dean LaTanya Love, MD
As we enter the fall season and settle into the 2026-27 fiscal year, I am struck by the extraordinary progress taking place throughout McGovern Medical School and energized by what’s next.
The academic year is already well underway, bringing renewed energy and opportunity. This summer, we welcomed a new group of residents and fellows as they began the next stage of their training in our clinical programs. We also welcomed the Class of 2030, selected from more than 6,000 applicants for 240 positions.
What excites me most is the people behind these numbers. Each new student, resident, and fellow brings unique skills, experiences, and aspirations that will enrich our school and the communities we serve. As they begin the next stage of their education and training at McGovern Medical School, they join a community committed to excellence in education, discovery, and patient care, and to preparing the physicians and leaders who will lead our profession forward.
This fall marks several important leadership appointments across our academic and clinical missions. Faramarz H. Samie, MD, PhD, joined us Sept. 1 as chair of the Department of Dermatology; Amber Luong, MD, PhD, began her new role as associate dean for Faculty Affairs; and on Oct. 1, Samden Lhatoo, MD, MBA, became chair of the Department of Neurology, while Louise D. McCullough, MD, PhD, assumed the role of executive vice dean for research. We look forward to welcoming Duncan Campbell, MBA, as chief operating officer of UT Physicians beginning Nov. 1.
The strength of our school is equally evident in our research enterprise. Research expenditures increased 7% over the previous year, a testament to the exceptional work underway in our departments, centers, and institutes. I am inspired the trajectory we are on and grateful to the faculty, staff, and trainees driving that progress.
Our clinical teams provided more than 1.9 million patient visits over the past year. We are continuing to strengthen our clinical mission through the development of Bellaire Station, expanding our reach and our ability to provide care closer to where our patients live and work. These investments will help us meet the needs of a growing community while creating new opportunities for our students, trainees, faculty, and staff.
We are also reimagining our educational spaces to support the new era of medical education. Construction is underway on The Learning Lab, a flexible learning environment in the Medical School Building designed to accommodate an entire class of 240 students. With adaptable configurations that support active learning, collaboration, workshops, and small-group instruction, the space will serve as a hub for educational innovation.
As we look ahead, I want to remind everyone that there is still an opportunity to help define the direction and priorities of our institution through the Future in Focus strategic planning process. To date, 36% of the McGovern Medical School community has participated, and while we appreciate everyone who has shared their perspective, we welcome input from even more members of our community. This plan is being developed together, and the feedback we receive will help guide our priorities for the next decade. If you have not yet completed the Future in Focus survey (external link), I encourage you to take the time to make your voice heard.
Finally, I want to recognize one member of our McGovern Medical School family whose accomplishments exemplify the extraordinary reach and impact of our mission. Anil Menon, MD, MPH, associate professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine and NASA astronaut, is currently serving aboard the International Space Station as a member of Expedition 75 (external link).
Menon recently completed his third career spacewalk, joining European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot outside the station for 6 hours and 30 minutes. Together, they completed the installation of a new high-speed space-to-ground antenna. His achievements are a powerful example of the ingenuity and excellence that define our McGovern Medical School community.
From welcoming new learners and leaders to investing in education, advancing discovery, and expanding our clinical presence, we continue to move McGovern Medical School forward. What gives me the greatest confidence is the extraordinary community behind this work. Every day, your talent and dedication strengthen our school and advance our mission.
Thank you for the many ways you contribute to McGovern Medical School. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and encouraged by the opportunities ahead.