AUSTIN, TX — Yesterday, the University of Texas System Board of Regents approved $145.7 million in funding for the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center (Center) project. This marks a significant step in the continued transformation of the Rio Grande Valley through education and access to health care that will have tremendous benefits for our families.
Last year, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa joined UTRGV President Guy Bailey in announcing the Center which will include oncology advisory services provided by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center is part of the phase 1 development of UTRGV’s McAllen Academic Medical Campus on the recently acquired 38 acres, located on the south side of Pecan Boulevard between Jackson and McColl roads.
The 144,231 square-foot Center will allow for comprehensive cancer and surgical services that are on the leading edge of medicine by serving as an incubator to train the physicians and scientist leaders of the future. The three story Center will include a radiation oncology clinic, medical oncology clinic, diagnostic imaging suite, rehabilitation therapy, ambulatory surgery center, and an orthopedics clinic.
Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, lead author of Senate Bill 24 which created UTRGV and the School of Medicine, welcomed the expenditures by the UT System:
“I am pleased that the UT System Board of Regents voted to approve funding for this important and significant project for the Rio Grande Valley and all South Texas. We started this journey several years ago. In fact, the concept was first proposed by DHRs leadership to create a partnership with M.D. Anderson. In an op-ed I wrote in March 2020, I mentioned our efforts to increase partnerships with the best entities in the field, such as M.D. Anderson. We continue working to secure the partnerships and investments necessary so that in the future our cancer patients in South Texas will have access to top notch facilities and world-class doctors — here at home. The approval for funding from the UT System Board of Regents will make the UT Health Cancer and Surgery Center a reality.
Approving the allocation of the funds necessary for this Center advances the goal of expanding access to educational opportunities and medical education which will increase access to care for our Valley families and help decrease our physician shortage in the region. I appreciate the leadership of Dr. Guy Bailey and the work being done by School of Medicine Dean Dr. Michael Hocker to ensure Senate Bill 24 continues transforming the Valley by increasing access to high quality care and facilities to benefit all of South Texas,” Senator Hinojosa stated.
The UT System Board of Regents authorized the expenditure of $145,723,401 with funding of $49,493,963 from Permanent University Fund (PUF) Bond Proceeds, $44,922,833 from Tuition Revenue Bond (TRB) Proceeds which was supported by the Rio Grande Valley Legislative Delegation and approved by the Texas Legislature in 2021, $40,000,000 from Revenue Financing System (RFS) Bond Proceeds, $10,306,605 from Designated Funds, and $1,000,000 from Gifts.
Up until 2013, UT-Pan American and UT-Brownsville were not PUF eligible schools. With the passage of Senate Bill 24, UTRGV was created as a new university and was given access to these funds.