LUBBOCK, Texas Medical schools across the country have seen an increase in applications amid the pandemic, and its no different at Texas Tech. On Wednesday, students explained how COVID-19 had inspired them to go into the field.

It has only increased my desire to go into medicine because I really feel that I want to do a job that is needed and is wanted, said Chuck Guerra, a second-year student at Texas Techs School of Medicine.

As Lubbock county remains a major COVID-19 hot spot, more medical students like Guerra are eager to get on the front lines.

Obviously, I dont want a pandemic to be happening, but when one happens the need is greater, and that makes me want even more to be doing the work that I want to do, said Guerra.

Texas Techs Health Sciences Center has seen a 20 percent increase in applications just this year.

Across the country, medical schools have seen a 15 percent increase, according to the School of Medicines Dean Steven Berk.

The great thing about the 20 percent increase in students applying to medical school is that theyre not afraid of the pandemic, said Dr. Berk. In fact, they see a call to honor or a call to duty.

The school has also changed its curriculum to include more information about COVID-19 and public health as a whole.

Its even made me see ways that Im helpful, even now, especially in my second year, said second-year medical student Jaclyn Jones. We had some lectures on COVID. And that was incredibly helpful to be able to have those, and then even just in day to day conversations, to be able to address times when somebody kind of put something up there that wasnt 100% accurate, and be able to correct that information in the moment.

From creating more advanced telemedicine to greater public health awareness, the medical world has changed significantly during this pandemic. Dr. Berk explained that Texas Tech is doing as much as they can to ensure their students are prepared once they go into the workforce.

I think weve emphasized public health and will emphasize public health even more in the future. So that students are ready for whenever that next pandemic may occur, said Dr. Berk.

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Texas Tech School of Medicine sees 20% increase in applications - KLBK | KAMC | EverythingLubbock.com