University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers told the UT Board of Regents on Wednesday that his school is ready to begin searching for a medical school dean.
A UT-Austin medical school, expected to open in either 2015 or 2016, is beginning to get off the ground. In May, the Board of Regents pledged $30 million per year for the next eight years. In November, Travis County voters approved Proposition 1, which will contribute about $25 million annually to the school. And more recently, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation pledged $50 million to the school.
Powers said with the necessary funds, UT-Austin is ready to get into "the phase of actually getting it done."
"We have a steering committee about ready to appoint a dean search committee," Powers said. "We think this will be a very attractive position."
In January, Dr. Robert Messing and Dr. Susan Cox were named co-chairs for the steering committee that is overseeing the plans for the medical school.
UT-Austin has not picked a location for the medical school, but they are considering a site near the Brackenridge Medical Center. In a recent speech, Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell called for an "innovation district" to be a part of the school and Seton's new teaching hospital.
