The inaugural class of the University of Houston’s College of Medicine doesn’t have to worry about their tuition fee as an anonymous gift of $3 million will compensate for the students’ tuition.
The university announced on Wednesday that its College of Medicine has received an anonymous $3 million gift, funding the full tuition for the college’s inaugural class of 30 medical students in fall 2020.
We’ve got it covered! With a recent $3 Million gift, the inaugural class of the UH College of Medicine will have their tuition paid in full. Thank you to all of our supporters for helping us address the need for primary care in our community. #UHHereWeGo pic.twitter.com/ywFieVN2H9
— University of Houston (@UHouston) July 18, 2018
University of Houston President Renu Khator, while appreciating the anonymous gift, underlined that the student debt is the number one deterrent for students when applying to medical school.
“This generous gift will allow such students an opportunity to attend and ultimately lead the future medical workforce. As a result, the UH College of Medicine will increase access to primary care, enhance the quality of life and strengthen Houston as a business destination,” she said in a statement.
The College of Medicine now aims for at least 50 percent of each graduating class to specialize in primary care.
“Thanks to this amazing gift, we’re one step closer to becoming a major resource for the community by addressing the shortage of primary care physicians,” said UH College of Medicine vice president of medical affairs and founding dean Dr. Stephen J. Spann.
The College of Medicine joins the University as its 15th academic college with a mission to address shortages of physicians in primary care and other specialties such as general surgery and psychiatry to improve health in communities with healthcare disparities.
It is scheduled to admit 30 students in the inaugural class in 2020 pending approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Texas Legislature, and accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
The university is finalizing a partnership with HCA Healthcare’s Gulf Coast Division to bring new first-year resident positions to the College of Medicine starting in 2019, reaching a total of 389 resident positions by 2025.