Michael & Susan Dell Foundation Invests $50M to Establish the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas-Austin

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation announced today a new $50 million commitment to establish the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin. Additionally, the Dell family foundation committed another $10 million to Austin and Travis County community health quality and access programs over the next ten years. Since its inception in 1999, the foundation has invested nearly $1 billion in health and education programs around the globe, including $150 million over the past decade to promote family and childhood health in Central Texas.

"This gift truly saves lives," said UT System Chancellor Francisco G. Cigarroa. "Investments in medical education, biomedical research, and health care touch all citizens.  Nobody has done more for the people of Central Texas than Michael and Susan Dell.  Their generosity not only benefits UT, it also lifts up our entire community. "

Gene Powell, Chairman of the UT System Board of Regents added, "Between the generosity of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and the great citizens of Travis County who voted to transform health care in the community, a powerful public-private partnership has emerged.  Austin is the new beneficiary of enhanced health care, and countless economic development opportunities."

The Dell Medical School is scheduled to enroll its first class of 50 students in 2016.

"A medical school at UT-Austin further establishes Central Texas as a center of excellence for family health and research," said Susan Dell, co-founder and board chair of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. "UT is a world-class university, and the medical school will be able to attract top talent, advance medical research and practices, and improve family health for generations to come."

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation previously funded $90 million of grants in the Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas, UT Austin's Dell Pediatric Research Institute, UT's Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, and the Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity as well as basic health services like community clinics and health supports like electronic medical records and mobile health programs.

"No university could ask for better friends than Susan and Michael Dell, whose generosity has transformed the health care landscape," said UT Austin president Bill Powers. "The Dells' support has allowed UT Austin to conduct game-changing medical research and will now allow us to provide game-changing medical care." 

The new medical school will provide community-focused medical services, bring more medical professionals to Austin and create jobs. It will build on the world-class scientific research that UT-Austin faculty are conducting in related disciplines and is expected to attract top faculty and students. Campus officials are currently seeking accreditation, working on state approvals, searching for permanent leadership and examining building sites for the medical school.  

For more information, visit our site at http://www.msdf.org/Dell-Medical-School.

About the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (www.msdf.org) is dedicated to improving the lives of children living in urban poverty around the world. With offices in Austin, TX and New Delhi, India, and Cape Town, South Africa, the Dell family foundation funds programs that foster high-quality public education and childhood health, and improve the economic stability of families living in poverty. The foundation has committed more than $915 million (as of January 1, 2013) to global children's issues and community initiatives to date.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation is separate and distinct from Dell Foundation. In any first reference, please use the 'Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.' For second references, 'the Dell family foundation' may be used.

About The University of Texas System
Educating students, providing care for patients, conducting groundbreaking research and serving the needs of Texans and the nation for more than 130 years, The University of Texas System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States, with nine academic universities and six health science centers and a fall 2012 enrollment of roughly 216,000. The UT System confers more than one-third of the state's undergraduate degrees and educates nearly three-fourths of the state's health care professionals annually. The UT System has an annual operating budget of $13.9 billion (FY 2013) including $2.3 billion in sponsored programs funded by federal, state, local and private sources. With more than 87,000 employees, the UT System is one of the largest employers in the state.

About The University of Texas at Austin
Founded in 1883, The University of Texas at Austin is among the top ranked public research universities in the United States. It has more than 50,000 students in 17 colleges and schools. Its faculty has won some of the most prestigious teaching and research awards, including the Nobel Prize. The university is also a national leader in higher education innovation and using new technology to teach students more effectively.

SOURCE Michael & Susan Dell Foundation