Millions Donated to Establish Pediatric Residency Program in Midland

TTUHSC Permian Basin, PSP, and Scharbauer Foundation team up to address growing need for pediatric care in the region.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Permian Basin, the Permian Strategic Partnership (PSP), and the Scharbauer Foundation are collaborating to establish a new pediatric residency program in Midland, Texas. The program will receive $4.3 million from PSP and $3.5 million from the Scharbauer Foundation, in addition to $7.9 million from TTUHSC, to fund the hiring of expert faculty and pay for resident physicians.

Why it matters

Midland County has a high proportion of young residents, with nearly 1 in 10 being age 5 or younger. However, the number of pediatricians in the area is declining, creating a growing need for more pediatric care providers. The new residency program aims to address this gap by training the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric specialists to serve the Permian Basin community.

The details

The pediatric residency program will provide training for general pediatricians as well as specialties such as neonatology, pediatric endocrinology, and pediatric behavioral and mental health. The goal is to have 12 residents per year by 2030. The program is expected to help retain more doctors in the Midland area, as residents often choose to practice where they complete their residency.

  • The pediatric residency program is set to launch in 2028.
  • The program aims to have 12 residents per year by 2030.

The players

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Permian Basin

A medical school and research institution that is partnering to establish the new pediatric residency program.

Permian Strategic Partnership (PSP)

A coalition of leading Permian Basin energy companies that is providing $4.3 million in funding for the residency program.

Scharbauer Foundation

A philanthropic organization that is contributing $3.5 million to the establishment of the pediatric residency program.

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What they’re saying

“Scharbauer Foundation is proud to support the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center pediatric residency program. This program represents a step toward addressing the critical need for pediatric care in the Permian Basin by bringing in additional pediatricians and pediatric specialists to Midland. These physicians will serve the community while training the next generation of doctors. This new program addresses a gap in care for our young population and allows business owners the peace of mind to recruit families to Midland.”

— Mary Ann Beninati, Scharbauer Foundation CEO and President (mrt.com)

“The Permian Strategic Partnership is focused on creating and maintaining quality of life in this vital region. We must ensure we have consistent and accessible healthcare for children and their families. This is why partnering with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center on the creation of a pediatric residency is critically important. As more young families continue to grow and raise their families here, we want to make sure we have the health care professionals they need, right here in the Permian.”

— Tracee Bentley, PSP President and CEO (mrt.com)

What’s next

The program is set to launch in 2028, with the goal of having 12 residents per year by 2030.

The takeaway

This collaborative effort between TTUHSC, PSP, and the Scharbauer Foundation represents a significant investment in addressing the growing need for pediatric care in the Permian Basin region. By establishing a new residency program, the partners aim to attract and retain more pediatricians and pediatric specialists to serve the community, particularly the area's large and growing young population.