Khator on $50 million gift to new UH medical school: 'Tilman Fertitta and his family have made a visionary investment'

Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta gifted $50 million to the University of Houston (UH) on Thursday (May 19) for its new medical school, Houston-based media outlets reported.

Founded in 2019, the medical school is now officially known as the Fertitta Family College of Medicine, according to Houston ABC affiliate KTRK.

The 64-year-old Fertitta, who owns Landry's, Inc. and the Houston Rockets, serves as the chairman of the UH Board of Regents.

KTRK reported that the medical school was established with the purpose of improving health care in underserved urban and rural communities.

"The Fertitta family's $50 million gift to the University of Houston's new medical school will help make the mission of increasing health care access in underserved communities a reality," the university's official Twitter account said.

According to the station, a study conducted last year showed that approximately 98% of Texas' 254 counties have places that lack primary care physicians.

Houston NBC affiliate KPRC reported that Fertitta's gift also kicks off a $100 million fundraising campaign for his namesake medical school to cover scholarships, student success initiatives and operational necessities.

“Our family has such a passion for this medical school and its pursuit of health equity so everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, zip code or socioeconomic status, has the same opportunity to be as healthy as possible,” Fertitta said, per the station. “My hope is that the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine will be a game changer for the health and well-being of Texans by improving access to quality health care, advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care through health and health care research.”

UH President Dr. Renu Khator lauded what she said is a "game-changing gift," Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported.

"Tilman Fertitta and his family have made a visionary investment, so it is only fitting this new, ambitious and forward-thinking medical school should bear the Fertitta name," Khator said, according to KHOU. "It will have a remarkable and lasting impact on Houston and the world. Thanks to the Fertitta family's amazing generosity, the financial security and longevity of the medical school is cemented for generations to come."