The Institute for One Health Innovation (IOHI) is the first institute in the Texas Tech System (TTUS) to be jointly established by two system institutions: Texas Tech University (TTU) and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC). IOHI emphasizes rural healthcare access and community-focused efforts with the goal of improving regional health and ultimately global health and well-being of humans, animals and ecosystems.

In summer of 2024, I was honored to join the Inaugural North American One Health University Network (NAOHUN), formed to synergize efforts related to One Health across US, Mexican and Canadian institutions. As a member of the NAOHUN steering committee, our active involvement in such national and international efforts will further shape and inform our One Health research, education and outreach endeavors.

Located in the heart of the nation's farming and ranching region, TTUS has been a champion of both agricultural and biomedical research, addressing rural health care and workforce development. IOHI has pulled together numerous academic units across the system: the School of Veterinary Medicine, the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, the College of Health & Human Sciences, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Dentistry, the Julia Jones Matthews School of Population and Public Health, Angelo State University and Midwestern State University. Collaboration among these assets yields unparalleled expertise, world-class facilities and vast geographic representation. This powerful combination makes IOHI an ideal hub for advancing One Health research and shaping the future of integrated One Health solutions for human, animal, plants and environmental health.

I am greatly honored to serve as the Inaugural Executive Director of IOHI. Several cross-institutional committees worked together to set the stage for IOHI before it formed, driven by the shared vision of TTU and TTUHSC to establish strong collaborations across an area of common interest that led to identifying One Health as a catalyst for these collaborations.

Collectively, TTUS research, education and professional programs assemble numerous strengths that will propel IOHI to become a leading driver of One Health innovation.

Sincerely,