South Texas med school president now finalist for chancellor's job

HARLINGEN — The president of South Texas' major medical school, which oversees the Regional Academic Health Center facilities in Harlingen and Edinburg, is the only finalist for chancellor of the entire University of Texas System.

Dr. Francisco Cigarroa, president of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, was named sole finalist Thursday for the top position at the system, which includes nine universities and six health institutions.

The University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg and the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College are part of the UT System, as well as the RAHC facilities.

Cigarroa was chosen from a pool of more than 50 candidates, according to information from the UT System.

As president of UT Health Science Center since 2000, Cigarroa was instrumental in bringing more medical education programs to the Rio Grande Valley, officials have said. It's a commitment Cigarroa intends to continue, he said Friday.

"I have greatly enjoyed working with Valley leaders to develop the medical education and medical research divisions at the Regional Academic Health Center," Cigarroa said in a statement. "It is my strong desire to further those efforts as chancellor."

In October, Cigarroa announced he planned to step down as the health science center's president in 2009. At the time, Cigarroa, a pediatric-transplant surgeon, said he intended to return to practicing surgery full time.

According to the UT System, Cigarroa was the first Hispanic appointed as president of a major health center in the U.S.

State law requires that university boards identify finalists for the chancellor position at least 21 days before choosing a candidate.

Melissa McEver covers health and environment issues for Valley Freedom Newspapers. She is based in Harlingen and you can reach her at (956) 430-6252.