Houston Daily

The University of Houston (UH) and DHR Health Hospital System have announced a partnership to establish the UH Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine and DHR Health Medical Research and Education Center in the Rio Grande Valley. The initiative is backed by $15 million in state funding and aims to address medical needs in one of Texas’ most underserved regions.

The new center will focus on advancing medical research, clinical training, and health education. It is designed to improve care for conditions that disproportionately affect South Texans and expand opportunities for students, residents, and researchers.

“The University of Houston is committed to building a healthier Texas, and that means expanding our reach to communities where the need is greatest,” said Renu Khator, president of the University of Houston. “Through this partnership with DHR Health, we are strengthening the state’s health workforce pipeline, expanding our capacity for medical research and ensuring the people of the Rio Grande Valley have greater access to the care and innovation they deserve.”

DHR Health will construct a new facility as part of the agreement. This building will house joint research initiatives, clinical training programs, and educational partnerships aimed at improving health outcomes in the region. UH faculty, students, and researchers will have dedicated space for clinical and translational research.

“This partnership represents the next step in our vision to grow a truly statewide medical school that trains the next generation of physicians where they are needed most,” said Jonathan A. McCullers, UH vice president of health affairs and dean of the Fertitta College of Medicine. “By combining the academic strength and clinical excellence of UH and DHR Health, we are creating an anchor for medical education and discovery in South Texas, one that will improve lives and advance the practice of medicine across the state.”

DHR Health operates more than 70 facilities across the Rio Grande Valley—including five hospitals—and serves as a major training site for physician residencies as well as nursing and pharmacy programs. Its Institute for Research and Development leads clinical research efforts in South Texas.

The collaboration builds on previous efforts between UH and DHR Health. In 2017, they launched a satellite program through UH’s College of Pharmacy to expand pharmacy services, conduct research projects aimed at improving health outcomes, and provide education opportunities for future pharmacists serving communities in the region.

“Our mission has always been to elevate the quality of health care and medical education in the Rio Grande Valley,” said Susan Turley, president of DHR Health. “Partnering with the University of Houston allows us to accelerate that mission and bring new resources, research collaborations and training opportunities to the region. Together, we are investing in a healthier future for South Texas.”

This new center marks a significant step in UH’s strategy to strengthen healthcare infrastructure across Texas while expanding its role as a comprehensive health sciences university.