GALVESTON, Texas - The Kurt Salmon Associates report about the future of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston was presented today in Austin to the UT System Board of Regents. The report spelled out several scenarios for the redevelopment of UTMB's clinical enterprise, including the building of a community hospital on the mainland and another scenario that would split hospital care between Galveston Island and League City. Click here to read the report.
Dr. David L. Callender, president of UTMB, said that he was "greatly touched by the encouragement and tireless advocacy of the university's many supporters -- including alumni, friends throughout the state, and members of its home community, many of whom are dealing with their own challenges in the wake of the storm." "I am very optimistic about UTMB's future and have every confidence in our ability to revitalize our health system and to continue advancing our time-honored missions of education, research and clinical service," Callender added. Callender, who lives on Galveston Island, said that he favored a scenario that would "keep significant health care facilities on the island to serve local residents, among others." He said that the report included several viable options and encouraged people to consider them all and to provide comments to the Board of Regents. A panel of Regents will conduct a public meeting on Feb. 20 at Moody Gardens Convention Center in Galveston for public input on the report.
Comments can also be submitted to taskforce@utsystem.edu. Callender thanked Gov. Rick Perry and the Regents for the report, saying it "provides a solid framework for upcoming discussions about UTMB's ultimate configuration and it will help inform the decisions that the Board and the Legislature must make as they work to determine how UTMB can best serve the people of Texas in the future."