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Powers: UT Ready to Begin Search for Medical School Dean

Justin Dehn, Texas Tribune

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. 

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