OB-GYN Dr. Amber Coon Closed Lubbock Practice
The departure follows a dispute regarding hospital-employed physicians and has left some patients without care.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Pregnancy
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Dr. Amber Coon has closed her Lubbock OB-GYN practice after 12 years of service. Her exit follows a dispute involving UMC Physicians and hospital-employed doctors, leaving some local patients struggling to find prenatal care.
Why it matters
The closure highlights growing tensions in the local medical community regarding the roles of hospital-employed versus private providers. Patients like Jaylin Stevenson, currently 24 weeks pregnant, have reported difficulty securing necessary medical appointments.
Dr. Coon served Lubbock for 12 years, while TTUHSC has recruited 15 specialists in the past two years. Meanwhile, a local midwifery clinic reported an increase from 8 to 50 births over two years.
The players
Dr. Amber Coon
She is an obstetrician who operated an OB-GYN practice in Lubbock for over a decade.
UMC Physicians
This organization employs medical professionals and manages physician staffing in the Lubbock area.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
This institution provides hospital credentials and privileges for medical providers in the region.
Dr. Amy Richards
She is an OB-GYN currently employed by UMC Physicians.
Dr. Sal LoCoco
He is a medical leader who spearheaded recruitment efforts for obstetricians and specialists.
The details
Dr. Coon stated she requested assistance from UMC Physicians to bolster her call group as private providers departed, but no solution was provided. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center denies threatening her credentials and notes she was never a TTUHSC employee.
Timeline
Dr. Amber Coon began practicing OB-GYN in Lubbock 12 years ago.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center recruited 15 specialists over the past two years.
Private providers began leaving the call group a few months ago.
Patient Jaylin Stevenson is 24 weeks pregnant with an estimated due date in January 2027.
Some local OB-GYN appointments show no availability until May 2027.
Culture Shift
This closure reflects the shifting landscape of physician employment where private practices are increasingly consolidated under large health systems. This evolution often changes the patient experience, as seen in the broader trend of independent practices shuttering in favor of larger, hospital-employed models.
Lubbock residents seeking OB-GYN care may face significantly longer wait times, with some appointments unavailable until May 2027. Patients in need of urgent prenatal attention are encouraged to seek alternative providers immediately to ensure continuity of care.
The takeaway
Patients currently seeking care are advised to reach out to multiple clinics given the current wait times for local specialists. Understanding the changing landscape of medical employment can help residents better anticipate shifts in provider availability.
Further reading
For additional information on local maternal health, visit the Pregnancy section.
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