Foster School of Medicine Pediatric Expert Tapped to Serve on Statewide Committee

Prashant Joshi, M.D., vice-chairman of the Foster School of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics, has been appointed to the Pediatrics Committee of the Texas Governor’s Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Advisory Council.

“I feel pediatrics needs a voice at the table, and I’m thrilled to be able to provide that voice,” said Dr. Joshi. “I want to make sure that we have an adequate network to ensure all children in Texas have access to trauma services.”

Dr. Joshi began his one-year term on the committee on Jan. 1, 2021. He is an associate professor and the Division of Pediatric Critical Care chief at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso. He also serves as a critical care specialist with TTUHSC El Paso’s medical practice, Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso.

The role of the Pediatrics Committee is to review relevant issues and make recommendations to the EMS and Trauma Advisory Council. The council’s role is to advise the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Due to extensive experience treating critically ill children and leading quality improvement in clinical care, Dr. Joshi is familiar with the type of equipment, facilities, practice and training necessary to ensure the best outcomes for the sickest young patients. He wants to ensure the rest of the state is prepared for pediatric emergencies, including child abuse.

“Living in a city like El Paso, we take it for granted that we have state-of-the-art pediatric facilities, such as El Paso Children’s Hospital. I want to learn more about the facilities available throughout the rest of the state,” Dr. Joshi said. “Part of what we must do is make sure we have the right equipment for smaller patients and that staff is trained properly to handle injuries in children.”

Dr. Joshi said he’s proud to represent TTUHSC El Paso and give West Texas and El Paso a voice. The distance between El Paso and other major cities in the state can create a gap in care, and he wants to ensure the Borderland is not overlooked.

“It’s vital we have representation at the table so we can speak up and remind people of our needs,” Dr. Joshi said. “Trauma care is just as important in El Paso as it is in Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. We need to ensure our pediatricians and their patients receive similar support through state funding and personnel. Our community is expanding and we can’t let our resources fall behind.”

TTUHSC El Paso is the only health sciences center on the U.S.-Mexico border and serves 108 counties in West Texas that have been historically underserved and understudied. TTP El Paso is the medical practice of the Foster School of Medicine as each physician doubles as a faculty member. TTP El Paso is the region’s largest multispecialty medical group practice, with over 250 specialists and subspecialists providing world-class patient care for the entire family at several locations across El Paso.