Letter of hispanic support of osteopathic identity of UNTHSC

The following letter to UNT Chancellor dated December 19, 2008 on by Hector Lopez, DO, Commissioner USDHS Commission to End Health Care Disparities, AOA Chair Council Minority Health Issues

  

As a proud 81 TCOM class graduate, and TOMA’s first Hispanic President, I was amused with the whispered “allopathic TCOM change” rumors, but shocked to hear that two of TCOM’s premiere staff members had been terminated in order to accomplish a detrimental change of direction for our beloved Alma Mater.  I recall my father telling me that if our home was on fire, we better not stand around talking about it. Thus, I am glad that you will soon have a meeting of the minds to discuss this crisis of identity by our TCOM leadership and the future direction of UNTHSC.

For over 20+ years I have worked with six TCOM Presidents, loyally and financially supporting TCOM. Never did any of these fine Presidents ever consider instigating an allopathic program in our campus. After surviving blatant allopathic ostracism based on my TCOM Osteopathic upbringing I am deeply chagrined at the thought of offering an MD degree at TCOM. Not surprisingly, this unwarranted and foolish effort to dilute TCOM’s prominence, has fostered a united groundswell and cooperative Professional and public community empowered and capable of fighting to preserve what we all historically struggled to win in Texas. The TCOM Hispanic colleagues that attended TCOM have confided in me that they share the same strong sentiments and will do whatever is necessary to prevent this change from happening.

My hope is that you and the Board will respond to our outcry and expeditiously work to maintain the status quo at TCOM. May you not fiddle, like Nero, while Rome burned. The time has come, once again, for all DOs, UNT leaders, and friends of TCOM to unite relying on each other to successfully overcome the divisive crisis that confronts TCOM and Texas Osteopathic Medicine!