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News — EL PASO, Texas — Some people claim borders are barriers. Others see them as frontiers worthy of exploration.

Muhammad Moiz Tahir, M.D., is one of the newest assistant professors in the Foster School of Medicine’s Department of Internal Medicine. Dr. Tahir brought with him a passion for community-based, world-class health care and practical preventive practices.

Inspired by the similarities between his upbringing along the Pakistan-India border and the vibrant multicultural community he discovered here in our Borderplex region, Dr. Tahir is poised to make a significant impact as a border doctor at the Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso at Alberta clinic. His dedication to patient-centered medicine and advancing community health initiatives prioritizes putting his patients first to improve our community's health for years to come.

Patience with patients

“One of the many things I learned throughout medical school and training was to always be passionate,” said Dr. Tahir. “Try to understand what your patients are saying. Be patient while explaining your findings to them; they’ll listen to you more. They’ll be more engaged with their treatment plan. Develop a good rapport with patients by having a conversation. It’ll go a long way.”

Originally from Pakistan, Dr. Tahir graduated from King Edward Medical University in 2018 before completing residency training in Philadelphia and joining the Texas Tech Health El Paso faculty in September 2023. He’s deeply committed to community health and applying his expertise to address the pressing health challenges facing El Pasoans.

“I was looking for a place to teach the next generation of physicians,” said Dr. Tahir. “I really liked El Paso, especially how it’s similar to what I experienced back home. So, I decided to come here.”

What caught his attention was the frequency of diseases he thought he would only see back home in his border community.

One such condition is obesity. Dr. Tahir recognizes the importance of addressing its prevalence in El Paso County. While the county has an adult obesity prevalence of 30%, which is lower than the national average of 41.9%, there are some Borderplex communities where obesity rates reach up to 50%. These communities have a higher concentration of lower-income populations and a larger proportion of Hispanic residents, putting them at a greater risk of obesity-related ailments such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

“Obesity is a chronic disease,” said Dr. Tahir. “You have to treat it as any other patient who has diabetes or hypertension. And it has to be treated throughout their life.”

Collaboration is key

Dr. Tahir aims to develop effective strategies to address obesity and create meaningful change through a collaborative relationship within the community. By providing education, resources and support to vulnerable populations, he believes obesity rates can be reduced, enhancing the overall health and well-being of the region.

Dr. Tahir's expertise in internal medicine and his research focus on preventive care align perfectly with the multifaceted health challenges prevalent in El Paso. Texas Tech Health El Paso's commitment to community health and its state-of-the-art facilities provide the ideal platform for Dr. Tahir to implement innovative interventions. Additionally, Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso's comprehensive health care services ensure that patients receive holistic care tailored to address the interconnected issues of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Moreover, the integration of Texas Tech Health El Paso and Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso fosters a seamless continuum of care, allowing for coordinated prevention, diagnosis, and treatment efforts.

Call the Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso at Alberta clinic at 915-215-5200 or visit ttpelpaso.com today to schedule your appointment.

About Texas Tech Health El Paso

Texas Tech Health El Paso is the only health sciences center on the U.S.-Mexico border and serves 108 historically underserved counties. It’s a designated Title V Hispanic-Serving Institution, preparing the next generation of health care heroes, 48% of whom identify as Hispanic and are often first-generation students.

Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a proudly diverse and uniquely innovative destination for education and research.

With a mission of eliminating health care barriers and creating life-changing educational opportunities for Borderplex residents, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,400 doctors, nurses and researchers over the past decade, and will add dentists to its alumni beginning in 2025. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.

About Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso

Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso is the clinical practice of the Foster School of Medicine. It’s the region’s largest multispecialty medical group practice, with over 250 specialists providing world-class patient care for the entire family at several locations across El Paso, while also providing a hands-on learning space for TTUHSC El Paso resident physicians and students.