East Texas Medical Center Foundation has gifted $80 million, the single largest contribution ever made in the region, to help establish the University of Texas Medical School in Tyler. The school will transform health education and care in East Texas.

UT Systems will be working with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Texas Legislature, and other licensing and accrediting agencies to make the school a reality.

Scott Berkley of EMS/Air 1 business development says there is an astronomical shortage of medical providers, and many people have to leave their community to get needed medical care. However, the formation of the medical school will grow medical opportunities to keep students and professionals in the area. 

As UT Health East Texas is building a medical school, they are also building community. It has been estimated that the initial impact to the region in the first ten years will generate $2.9 billion in capital growth, payroll, taxes, services, businesses and more.

Berkley predicts that as more people come to the region for the medical school and UT Health System, the economy will experience a boom of housing, education, businesses and entertainment to accommodate the growing population. Tyler is saturated already, and the towns of Wood County will have to grow to meet the demands.

UT Health Systems wants to work in partnership with the communities of the region, says Berkley. “UT Health Systems is here by privilege and wants to serve the communities. They take the call for help seriously.”

A fundamental shift in healthcare began two years ago in East Texas with the formation of UT Health East Texas. The University of Texas system, UT Health Science Center and the state partnered and subsequently acquired ETMC. It began the new branding with a focus on healthcare delivery.

Since 2018, the newly developed healthcare system, UT Health East Texas, has poured $95 million into the growth and establishment of general practice residency programs and nursing advancing skills. This has been the largest single advancement by university systems to one entity.

“When we started, our commitment was to pour $250 million into the infrastructure of what we were building in the healthcare system,” Berkley said.

“In October, UT Health East Texas invested $40 million into electronic health records systems to track patient data and to essentially move you and your information wherever you are across the system.

“The state has even commended and recognized the University of Texas at Tyler as the fastest growing component in UT Systems. They have responded with the formation of this medical school,” emphasized Berkley.

With the partnership of the UT Health Science Center as the medical component and UT Tyler together, they will be educating, providing, and building a community for future doctors, nurses, paramedics and caregivers.

_{John Ring says Wood County Now is located in Wood County, Texas and they cover local news for Mineola, Quitman, Winnsboro, Yantis, Alba, Golden, Hawkins, Holly Lake Ranch and all unincorporated areas.}