Sen. Lucio to UT Board of Regents: ‘We’re next’ for medical center

EDINBURG — State Sen. Eddie Lucio told the University of Texas Board of Regents on Thursday that he plans to file a bill again that calls for a health science center in the Rio Grande Valley.

The governing body of the University of Texas system convened its committee and regular meetings Wednesday and Thursday at The University of Texas-Pan American — the fourth time it has met there since the Edinburg institution joined the system in 1989. The last time the board visited the campus was in 1999, according to UTPA.

Lucio, D-Brownsville, introduced Senate Bill 420 during the Legislature’s last session. That bill was sent to the Senate Committee on Education before the session ended. The bill, if approved, would establish a health science center in the Valley and would allow for first- and second-year medical students to attend classes in the Valley. Third-year and higher-level students would study at the system’s main medical campus in San Antonio.

The senator applauded the system for the programs it already has to train healthcare professionals but said more needs to be done to reduce the doctor shortage in the state and particularly in the Valley.

This region is among the fastest-growing areas in the state and country, but healthcare and educational opportunities here are not meeting demand.

Lucio said having a center in the Valley would increase enrollment at the system’s health science center in San Antonio.

“We are not keeping up with out responsibility as a state,” he said. “Frankly, we’re next.”

After the meeting, UTPA president Blandina “Bambi” Cárdenas said even if the legislation passed, it would take seven to 25 years to see the center and its services come to fruition.

But the area is in critical need of healthcare providers, so the system and others with a vested interest need to start talking about the area’s needs and how to pay for the center now, she said.

“It’s a bold challenge,” Cárdenas said.

In other business this week, the UT board welcomed its newest member, Houston attorney and Pharr native Janiece M. Longoria, daughter of the late state Sen. Raul Longoria. After the meeting she said she thought having her first meeting at UTPA was “poetic” because of her connection to the Valley.

“It has been almost magical for me,” said Longoria, who is a graduate of the University of Texas and its law school and also is founder of the law school’s Center for Women in Law.

The board also granted approval for UTPA and University of Texas-Brownsville to expand their academic programs. UTPA plans to add two doctorate programs, in applied and computational mathematics and in engineering science. UTB plans to add three bachelor’s degree programs and seven master’s degree programs.

The regents also approved increasing the distribution rate for permanent university funds to eligible campuses from 4.75 percent to 5 percent. The increase should provide eligible schools $30 million more annually for 15 years.

____

Jennifer L. Berghom covers education and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4462.