The University of Texas System regents have voted to make a $30 million investment in science and health education in South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley, a move that lays the groundwork for a future medical school in the area.
The San Antonio Express-News reports that the regents voted on the issue Thursday.
The UT system will spend $10 million to build a simulation teaching hospital in the Harlingen and $9.5 million will be spent to recruit teaching and research faculty at institutions throughout South Texas.
Also included is $4 million for UT-Pan American in Edinburg and UT-Brownsville to start a program that turns out qualified science and math teachers for K-12 schools.
The Rio Grande Valley has a chronic shortage of health care professionals.
