Q&A with the Dean of School of Medicine

Dr. Michael B. Hocker became the new dean of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s School of Medicine on June 28, 2021. Before that, Hocker served as a senior associate dean and designated institutional official of graduate medical education at the Medical University of Georgia at Augusta University. As a former U.S. Navy flight surgeon, he graduated from Ft. Lewis College in Durango, Col, and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Colorado, School of Medicine. 

1. What inspired you to take on the role of dean of UTRGV’s School of Medicine?

I think it’s a great opportunity to lead an evolving medical school. It’s a really unique opportunity as a dean, first of all … it’s a privilege and an honor to be appointed dean because in the dean’s role, you have so many responsibilities. It’s just an honor and a privilege to lead so many amazing people, and especially the Valley and UTRGV, which has a special mission in South Texas, is a special place. It’s a great career opportunity. We have so much to continue to accomplish here from our … educational accreditation, growing our clinical enterprise and increasing our amount of research and discovery. I’m a big believer in providing service to our community and service to our organization and institution. We’re no longer a new medical school. We’re an evolving medical school. We have many specialties, but there are still many specialties to develop and a lot to do here in the Valley. 

2. What got you interested in the medical field?

I got interested in medicine for a couple of reasons. Growing up … on my mother’s side, my uncle owned an ambulance company. And so I became an EMT (Emergency Medical Technicians) very early on. I continued to be an EMT through undergraduate and medical school.  Then I also had several, both high school and collegiate wrestling, injuries and was really impressed by the physicians I came in contact with. Those two things sparked my interest in medicine. I really saw some great physicians, including my pediatrician who I grew up with, who left a lasting impression on me. I encountered some really good people who were doing great things and were able to help me. I saw that as an opportunity. I could go out and help other people too.

3. Now that you are the dean of the School of Medicine, how do you feel? 

Overwhelming at times. It’s been like drinking from a fire hydrant a little bit. But everybody has been so welcoming. I’ll just say this … the Valley is such a warm, inviting, friendly place.  It really has been great. And just amazing people in the School of Medicine, amazing people in the Valley. So first and foremost, as dean, you’re very busy. You know, lots of meetings, lots of lunches and lots of dinners. I think there’s a lot to do. So, that’s good. I still have to kind of slap myself and realize that it’s actually happened. But again, you know, with privilege and honor there comes great responsibility. Making sure that I’m doing what I should do, making sure the school is staying focused on its mission. Bringing people together and getting us all going in the right direction. We have a great vision, we have a great mission and there’s still a lot to do.

4. Are there any goals you would like to accomplish as the dean of the School of Medicine?

Yeah, there’s a lot of goals. I keep telling everybody, there’s a lot to do. But we can’t do it all at once. We are about to enter into a strategic planning. And within that strategic planning, we will look at our priorities over the next [year] and three and five years and develop goals for those. Clearly, some of my priorities are to establish full accreditation for our medical school. Currently, we have provisional accreditation, and we need to move to full accreditation. We will continue to look at the expansion of our educational programs, both for medical school and our graduate medical education or residency and fellowship programs. On the research side, we have established … several excellent departments of basic science research. And I think the next phase will be to develop clinical trials and clinical research. 

5. What would you like to say to the new students who just joined the School of Medicine?

Being a physician is a great honor. It’s a great privilege, it’s an incredible profession. Be proud of what you do. I would say the most important thing is to remember why you became a physician and to serve the people and to serve your patients. Be proud of your profession and be professional.