Editors note: This article was originally published January 22, 2014 <\/p>\n
The appointment of the first dean of a medical school is always a big deal. And so it was Tuesday when the University of Texas named Clay Johnston the founding dean of the Dell Medical School. This story details the appointment. <\/p>\n
For those involved in the years-long effort to establish the medical school, the news conference in the Main Buildings ornate Room 212 was an occasion for hugs, smiles and reflection. UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa was a case in point. <\/p>\n
Cigarroas father, Joaquin Cigarroa Jr., graduated from UT and went on to Harvard Medical School. The chancellor said the realization that the Austin campus would finally have a medical school brought tears of joy to his father, who, by the way, still practices medicine in Laredo at the age of 89. <\/p>\n
Cigarroa noted that discussions regarding a medical school began in 2003, involving James Huffines, then chairman of the regents, and Kenneth Shine, then executive vice chancellor for health affairs. But it was state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, who carried the plan across the goal line among other things, helping to persuade Travis County voters during bumpy economic times to approve a property tax increase to help fund the medical school. <\/p>\n
Senator Kirk Watson has been that quarterback, Cigarroa said, and he can certainly throw a pass. <\/p>\n
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UT chancellor reflects on long effort to establish a medical school - Austin American-Statesman<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Editors note: This article was originally published January 22, 2014 The appointment of the first dean of a medical school is always a big deal. And so it was Tuesday when the University of Texas named Clay Johnston the founding dean of the Dell Medical School. This story details the appointment. Continue reading