University of Houston Embraces Unique Interdisciplinary Approach to Health Care

Interdisciplinary health care is a collaborative approach to patient care that involves multiple medical professionals working together across specialties. It serves as the foundation of the University of Houston’s commitment to reducing health disparities and improving health behaviors and outcomes in underserved populations locally, nationally and globally.

A Turning Point in Patient Care

Auset Hutcherson remembers the exact moment her life changed. It was November 2023, and Hutcherson, along with her husband, was feeling overwhelmed. As residents of Houston’s historic Third Ward neighborhood, they were facing serious health challenges, coordinating care across multiple specialists without the guidance of a primary care provider — all while raising a family.

Then came a turning point: a referral to the University of Houston’s Family Care Center. “My whole family needed support — physically, mentally and socially,” Hutcherson says. “After years of searching, we found it all in one place at UH. Their collaborative, holistic approach to health care is transforming one family at a time.”

The Interdisciplinary Model of Care

This interdisciplinary model of care is the heart of the University’s mission to improve health outcomes and close gaps in access for underserved communities. By uniting students and faculty from various fields, the University is addressing the complex web of factors affecting health. The result is comprehensive, culturally competent care tailored to meet the unique needs of diverse populations.

Core Specialties Involved in Collaborative Care

The University integrates expertise from several key disciplines to provide holistic support:

• Medicine
• Behavioral health
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Optometry
• Social work

Addressing Challenges in the U.S. Health Care System

“Our nation’s health care system faces immense challenges,” says Dr. Jonathan McCullers, vice president of health affairs at UH and dean of the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine. “Despite spending more on health care than any other country, the U.S. continues to lag behind other developed nations in health outcomes.”

UH is tackling these challenges head-on through interdisciplinary education and clinical practice that focus on quality of care and patient outcomes rather than the quantity of services provided. Dr. McCullers notes, “The innovative solutions we’re fostering are making real-world impacts for both our students and the communities we serve across Houston, Texas and beyond.”

The Future of Health Education and Innovation

When the Fertitta College of Medicine welcomed its inaugural class of 30 students in 2020, it marked the opening of Houston’s first new medical school in 50 years. But this milestone was part of a larger vision — a campus-wide commitment to health education, research and innovation that spans nearly 80 years and involves 15 of the University’s 16 colleges.

“We are uniquely positioned to lead in teaching and delivering interdisciplinary care," McCullers says. With the unparalleled advantage of having the Texas Medical Center — the world’s largest medical center — right in our backyard, the University is preparing students to address the most complex health challenges. Currently, one in four of the University’s 48,000 students is pursuing health-related education, as the University continues to answer the call for improved community health.