UT System Announces Intention to Launch Medical School in Tyler

TYLER — The University of Texas System Thursday announced its intention to establish a medical school in Tyler – the first in East Texas. On Thursday, UTHSC at Tyler President Kirk A. Calhoun told KTBB that a proposed will have a huge economic impact, “When the school is fully operational, with all the research and everything else that will go on, it will mean about $1.9 Billion Dollars annually to the local economy, and about 18, 000 new jobs. And that just gives you a sense of the impact that’s associated with a medical school.”

Calhoun continued saying that a Medical school not only makes sense, but is necessary, “I think many of our leaders understand that we are looking at a Physicians shortage across North East Texas; which is being driven by the population growth and at the same time many Physicians are growing older and entering into retirement and we are currently not able to replace them quickly enough.” They optimistically explained their case to a group of regional business, civic, educational and medical leaders and elected officials at a Thursday morning news conference. A proposal to establish a medical school in Tyler will be on the agenda at the UT System Board of Regents’ next meeting, Feb. 26 in Austin. The regents’ authorization will allow notifications and other activities to proceed with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and other licensing and accrediting agencies.