The University of Houston, led by President Renu Khator and Tilman Fertitta, is seeking $200 million in state funding to build a teaching hospital in East Harris County. The facility aims to address medical training shortages and expand healthcare access for underserved communities.
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The University of Houston (UH) is requesting $200 million from the Texas Legislature to construct a new teaching hospital in East Harris County. The goal is to enhance training opportunities for medical students and increase healthcare access in underserved regions.
During a recent meeting with the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board, UH President Renu Khator and Board of Regents Chairman Tilman Fertitta discussed the proposal. The initiative would enable UH’s medical school to increase enrollment from 60 to 120 students annually.
Dean Dr. Jonathan McCullers emphasized that a lack of clinical training sites poses a significant obstacle to growth. A dedicated facility would enable faculty-led supervision and expand the number of training slots, enhancing the current training experience for UH students at various hospitals. The proposed hospital, with a 60 to 100-bed capacity, aims to care for uninsured and underinsured patients.
Harris Health System, operating Ben Taub and Lyndon B. Johnson hospitals, is one of the potential partners. Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, the CEO, conveyed his interest while highlighting that funding will be a crucial element in any future collaboration.
The proposal faces competition within the Texas Legislature, as public universities compete for funding in light of a $24 billion state budget surplus. UH anticipates that this project will serve as a crucial investment in Texas's healthcare workforce and in underserved communities.
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