Dear School of SHP and UTMB Communities,

The University of Texas Medical Branch School of Health Professions (SHP) has a long-standing history of excellence and innovation in educating health care professionals for leadership roles in the state, nation, and international arenas. We also are famous for our strong research enterprise success. With this auspicious success in the areas of education and research, we turn to the future and ask “How can UTMB SHP prepare health care professionals for the future in terms of making major impacts on patient care and community support?"

Within this context, we present our Strategic Plan focused on "Advancing Health Professions." Our RISES Initiatives were designed by leadership, faculty, and staff, with input from the UTMB Community, with the goal of focusing our future efforts toward achieving our mission and goals in a highly effective manner. This document serves as a planning tool, not to be mistaken for a strict road map. With this guiding document, UTMB SHP aims to lead the advancement of health care professional fields in the areas of education, research, community service with diverse constituents, and health care practice. We invite you to join us - whether you be a future student, potential collaborator/community partner, or future faculty/staff member. We are looking for greater opportunities ahead!

David A. Brown, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Senior Vice President and
Dean, School of Health Professions

The RISES Initiative

Guided by our RISES initiative, the UTMB School of Health Professionals will focus on the following strategic priorities for the 2021–2026 period: Research Activity, Influence & Impact, Student Success & Preparedness, Experiences in Clinical Settings, and Strategic Capacity & Transformation.

SHP Academic Programs

We offer certifications, bachelor's, master's and doctoral health profession programs. In addition to classroom lectures, lab experiences, and clinical skills competencies, our programs offer clinical training opportunities in a variety of settings to ensure our students have exposure to a diversity of professional opportunities.

Clinical Laboratory Sciences

Clinical laboratory graduates become an integral part of healthcare team by performing, managing, and interpreting laboratory tests.

Health Professions

For practitioners currently working in health care, this advanced degree opens up opportunities for leadership as healthcare managers or executives within their organizations.

Nutrition Sciences and Health Behavior

Graduates of the Metabolism MS/ DI and DCN programs are trained to become credentialed registered dietitian nutritionists. Students receive in-class, online, and hands on training opportunities in a variety of settings.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists evaluate, analyze, and provide interventions to individuals and communities to develop, restore, adapt, and maintain function necessary to participate in meaningful occupations and optimize quality of life.

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy graduates are movement experts that examine and treat persons of all ages to improve their ability to move, reduce or manage pain, restore function, prevent disability, and improve health.

Rehabilitation Sciences

Rehabilitation Science is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on human function and disability, enhancing physical, psychosocial functioning and overall quality of life.

Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory therapists are specialized healthcare practitioners that have training and expertise in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cardiopulmonary diseases.