Although the idea of an engineer wearing scrubs may seem odd to most people, it’s an ordinary sight at Texas A&M University’s School of Engineering Medicine (EnMed). A groundbreaking program that merges medicine and engineering, EnMed was forged with the mission to cultivate a unique type of professional—a “physicianeer”—armed with an innovative spirit to find solutions to health care challenges.
“EnMed is training doctors for the 22nd century,” said the school’s dean, Dr. Roderic Pettigrew. “The program embodies the genius of spirited and use-inspired innovation as our students learn to treat medical conditions but also reimagine current approaches for the better.”
Since its beginning in 2019, the program has equipped students with the tools to revolutionize health care by providing them with a simultaneous education in medicine and engineering. In four years, students earn a master’s in engineering and a doctorate in medicine, laying a firm foundation for an impactful career. Originally a collaboration between the College of Engineering, the School of Medicine and Houston Methodist Hospital, EnMed is now its own Texas A&M school within the Texas Medical Center while continuing its strong ties with its original partners. The school’s close partnership with Houston Methodist provides students with practical exposure and real-world application of EnMed’s pioneering concepts.
