By Leonard Martinez

After a national search, the university selected Eric M. Rohren, M.D., Ph.D, FACR, as the new Rick and Ginger Francis Endowed Dean of the medical school. Dr. Rohren began his role on Oct. 1, succeeding Richard Lange, M.D., M.B.A., who’ll remain president of Texas Tech Health El Paso.

Dr. Rohren joins us from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where he served as professor and chair of radiology, and president of the Baylor Medicine Board of Governors. He’s known internationally for his expertise in PET and CT imaging for detecting cancer and guiding treatment. 

First impressions

During his visits to the medical school and Texas Tech Health El Paso campus, Dr. Rohren said he was impressed by the focus and dedication of the entire organization and the major role it plays in advancing health care in our unique binational region.

Charting a vision

“There are so many exciting avenues to pursue in advancement of the Texas Tech Health El Paso mission,” Dr. Rohren said. “On the clinical side, we have an amazing opportunity to bring world-class cancer care to El Paso with the Fox Cancer Center.”

Minnesota ties

Dr. Rohren grew up in a medical household, with his father being an internist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Rohren spent 25 years in Rochester, and he earned his M.D. from the Mayo Clinic and Ph.D. from the Mayo Graduate School.

A fishing family

Dr. Rohren, his wife, Nancy, and their family love to fish, and they incorporate fishing excursions in their vacations. Some recent trips have taken them to the Gulf of Mexico to catch swordfish and Warsaw grouper. “To keep a record of our catches, I’ve taken up the traditional art of fish printing, or gyotaku, using the prints as office decorations,” Dr. Rohren said.

A love for radiology

A third-year med school elective sparked Dr. Rohren’s interest in radiology. “I loved the process of looking inside patients, often being the first to discover the cause of their symptoms,” Dr. Rohren said. “Radiologists are often called ‘the doctor’s doctor,’ providing consultation to their colleagues based on medical imaging. I love the opportunity to work with other physicians to solve complex medical issues.

Texas Tech Health El Paso Magazine, Fall 2025