The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHSC-H), a component of The University of Texas System, is the most comprehensive of the six health institutions in the system. It was established in 1972 within the Texas Medical Center (TMC) to coordinate and administer the activities of several health education units in Houston. The TMC, the world's largest medical center, comprises 42 separate institutions which are engaged in patient care, medical and health education, and research on a nonprofit basis. The member institutions receive support and direction from federal, state, city and county governments; from public and private interests; and from church, secular and fraternal organizations. The TMC began in the mid 1940s with its first two institutions, Baylor College of Medicine and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Among its member institutions today are 13 hospitals or patient care facilities and 15 academic institutions, including two medical schools and four schools of nursing. TMC is collectively the largest employer in Houston. The TMC comprises of over 100 permanent buildings on more than 675 acres in Houston, Texas.
The Health Science Center currently consists of the following units, in order of establishment: Dental Branch (established in 1905, joined UT 1943), Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (1963), School of Public Health (1967), Medical School (1970), School of Nursing (1972), School of Health Information Sciences (2000), and Harris County Psychiatric Center (established 1981, joined UT 1989).
The mission of the Health Science Center includes teaching, research, patient care, and community service. Therefore, the institution maintains a commitment to basic biomedical and behavioral research, direct patient care and health services, preventive services, and training of health professionals.
In the 2005-2006 academic year, the Health Science Center employed more than 2,939 classified staff, 1,262 faculty, 103 academic administrative and professional staff, and 121 management administrative and professional staff. UTHSC-H served more than 3,587 students across all schools, in addition to 664 medical residents, 82 dental residents, and approximately 200 fellows. The education of health professionals is enhanced by the Health Science Center's 170 formal affiliation agreements with major hospitals, city and neighborhood clinics, senior citizens centers, public schools and others. Sponsored project funding in 2005 totaled over $154.3 million.
