2 min read November 2023 — In an interview with Invest:, Sylvia Trent-Adams, president of The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, discussed the institution’s values-based culture, high-quality education and opportunities for healthcare professionals. Trent-Adams emphasized diverse leadership to combat health disparities and addressed challenges in affordable education as well as exciting initiatives.
What is the overall contribution and impact of the Health Science Center for the region, particularly in the past year?
I’ve been president of the Health Science Center since September of last year. Before that, I served as chief strategy officer. In that role, what I appreciated was having a bird’s-eye view of the organization, seeing how we touched the community and industry partners. The Health Science Center has the unique capability to produce future healthcare providers, scientists and leaders in health and STEM. They will make a positive impact and serve people worldwide. North Texas is growing rapidly, increasing the demand for healthcare services; however, Texas often ranks low nationally in meeting that demand. We see ourselves as a solution, creating a healthier tomorrow and building an innovative healthcare workforce.
What opportunities does the Health Science Center’s values-based culture and high-quality education offer for future healthcare professionals?
I am impressed by the numerous opportunities available in this growing area at the Health Science Center. HSC has been proactive in creating new healthcare programs and emphasizes its values-based focus as an organization. Its goal is not just to produce healthcare providers but also to cultivate leaders who value human connections and relationships. The key differentiator is the high-quality education that is offered, coupled with a culture based on values that permeates every aspect of the institution, from strategy and investments to academic training and research. This approach equips our students with a well-rounded education, enabling them to connect with people, ask important questions, overcome obstacles and find innovative solutions that set them apart from other professionals.
What are students now expecting out of their educational experience?
COVID has significantly changed the way students engage in education at the Health Science Center. They seek more value because of the high costs of higher education and pursuing healthcare or scientific degrees. We offer a high-value education and haven’t raised tuition in years. Students want quality education and the chance to secure well-paying jobs with room for career growth. HSC provides entry-level healthcare programs and encourages students to return for additional degrees or certifications, fostering a lifelong learning relationship. We prioritize whole health, focusing on health disparities and breaking down barriers to care access. We teach students to consider the whole person’s needs, including social determinants of health. By applying this approach, we create a different type of student who will ask questions and consider various professional scopes to meet patients’ needs.
How does your institution adapt its curriculum and training methods to stay innovative and address industry changes?
We’ve been updating and expanding our curriculum and offerings. We’ve adapted both our curriculum and training facilities to meet students’ needs. For instance, we created the HSC Regional Simulation Center, an immersive virtual reality medical training facility. This center prepares students to respond effectively in various medical situations by providing stress inoculation and diverse training experiences.
We’ve also been focused on expanding research opportunities. We recently secured a $10 million federal endowment to address health disparities, one of our main focus areas. HSC’s Institute for Health Disparities received a $100 million grant for the AIM-AHEAD program to increase the diversity of research and data in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Our Alzheimer’s disease research also has gained national recognition with our Institute for Translational Research awarded a $148.78 million grant from the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health.
Our integrated approach combines academic training with research and clinical services, fostering an environment where they complement each other seamlessly. HSC Health, our clinical enterprise, excels in providing state-of-the-art primary care with expertise specifically in healthy aging, particularly in geriatrics.
With our successful programs and initiatives, we continuously seek ways to enhance community health literacy and education. Our integrated model serves as a foundation for further advancements in research and academics within the healthcare community.
How can both higher education and the healthcare sector benefit from fostering diverse leadership and workforce to impact health disparities?
As the population becomes more diverse, it’s critical to focus on fostering a diverse healthcare workforce, especially in Texas. Having diversity in research and clinical service delivery is of the utmost importance. Studies spanning the last 25 years show that patients with access to providers who share similar lived experiences have better outcomes. Patients who can identify with their providers are more likely to engage, ask questions and adhere to recommendations, leading to improved outcomes and follow-up visits. Building these relationships within communities is essential. Addressing underrepresented communities and the current diversity in the healthcare workforce highlights the significance of the Health Science Center’s efforts to combat health disparities and create a pipeline of diverse practitioners and scientists.
What strategies do you employ to ensure that you are teaching students what they truly need to know for the workforce?
It’s multifaceted and not one-size-fits-all. We start early, targeting K-12 students interested in health professions. We focus on underserved communities and those with no family history of higher education. Rural Texas is an untapped geographic area in which to improve access to care. Mentorship programs have been successful in K-12, creating opportunities like summer camps, internships and fellowships for diverse students. Diversity is crucial in all aspects — geography, race, ethnicity and first-generation college students. Exposure to health and scientific careers creates new opportunities. At the Health Science Center, we invest in such activities to support students in these career paths. We also collaborate with community colleges, like Tarrant County College, providing a pathway for students to complete degrees on our campus.
Why is affordable education such a challenge?
Higher education has become more expensive because of increased living costs, limited funding and the need for technology maintenance and online classes. As the number of programs and degrees offered grows, so do the accreditation requirements and demands on resources like housing and transportation. Despite these challenges, my institution is committed to keeping education costs low and providing opportunities for qualified students to pursue their degrees with support from research grants and foundations.
What initiatives are you excited about pushing forward for the Health Science Center?
One of the most exciting things we’ve done this year is starting our College of Nursing to help with the huge demand for nurses in hospitals. Hospital CEOs have shared that they’ve had to close beds and defer procedures because of a shortage of nurses and physicians. We’re also expanding our Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine’s residency slots and opportunities, such as including a new dermatology program. However, what truly highlights our connection to the community is the free, annual clinic we started in partnership with Remote Area Medical. We provide free services to anyone who walks in the door during the weekend, with physicians, students and staff volunteering to give back to our community. It’s fulfilling to be able to expand and create new programs while using them to support those in need in our communities.
What are the key efforts to support the mental health of healthcare providers?
It’s important to highlight the mental health of healthcare providers, especially after the experiences during COVID. It has led many to leave their professions or retire early. This is often because of moral injury, resulting in shortages of doctors and nurses. We’re training the new generation to prioritize mental well-being and tackle workforce challenges. Graduates face high education costs and lack support to cope with traumas. This was particularly true during the pandemic. Promoting self-care among students and assessing community mental health access is crucial. We must go beyond traditional models to address healthcare barriers effectively. Mental health matters for providers, and communities need better awareness and resources.
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