schools
Lawsuit challenges Texas Tech directives that altered teaching at El Paso medical school
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Daniel Perez , El Paso Matters
· July 21, 2026
· 8 min read
A Texas Tech Health El Paso faculty member self-censored part of a course about El Paso’s underserved population – and campus leaders have told them not to use the word “disparity” in class, according to a recent lawsuit. The American Association of University Professors and its Texas chapter ini...
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Summary created by The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Daniel Perez, El Paso Matters Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway At issue are directives in memoranda that Creighton issued and the board approved in December 2025 and April 2026 that ordered administrators at the system’s five institutions to review course material for those prohibited subjects.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The lawsuit against Texas Tech University System has significant implications for El Paso's medical school, where faculty members are being forced to self-censor discussions about health disparities affecting the city's diverse population. By restricting the use of terms like "disparity," campus leaders are essentially limiting the ability of future doctors to understand and address the unique health challenges faced by El Paso's underserved communities, including Hispanics, African Americans, and members of the LGBTQIA community. This could have long-term consequences for the city's healthcare outcomes, as medical professionals may not be adequately equipped to provide culturally competent care. The fact that dozens of courses have already been modified as a result of the directives raises concerns about the impact on the quality of education at Texas Tech Health El Paso, and the potential effects on the city's healthcare workforce.
About this story
Original reporting by El Paso Matters . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit El Paso Matters . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: July 21, 2026 ·
Source: El Paso Matters ·
Reading time: 8 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Texas Tech Health El Paso faculty member self-censored part of a course about El Paso’s underserved population – and campus leaders have told them not to use the word “disparity” in class, according to a recent lawsuit. The American Association of University Professors and its Texas chapter ini...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by El Paso Matters and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Daniel Perez at El Paso Matters. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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