AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin has announced a significant advancement in its healthcare capabilities, secured through a transformative gift of $100 million from local residents Tench and Simone Coxe. This investment marks a pivotal step towards establishing a new academic medical center that will integrate leading research and clinical care in Central Texas.
The initiative aims to create a digitally enabled, patient-centered health system that leverages the expertise of the university’s esteemed Dell Medical School and the renowned UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. The Coxes’ contribution is among the largest in the university’s history and is expected to catalyze substantial improvements in healthcare delivery across the region.
Simone Coxe expressed her motivation for the gift, stating, “Great medical care changes lives, and we want more people to have access to it.” She noted that the vision is to establish a model of healthcare that could serve as an example for Austin and beyond. Her husband, Tench Coxe, a notable venture capitalist, highlighted the importance of strong leadership in the project, which he found compelling after meeting with Claudia Lucchinetti, M.D., the university’s senior vice president for medical affairs and dean of Dell Medical School.
The planned medical center is set to address a critical need in Central Texas, where as many as 25% of residents currently travel to Houston for specialized medical care. The new facility will not only enhance local healthcare access but will also feature a hospital focusing on complex conditions, further supported by the expansion of the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center in Austin.
The project is anticipated to reshape the healthcare landscape in the region, as emphasized by Jim Davis, UT President. He remarked, “Integrating UT’s world-class research into this new, advanced medical system will be a game changer.” The medical center is designed to unite care, education, and research, creating a holistic approach that aims to redefine standards in medical care.
The Coxes’ unrestricted donation will allow university leaders to allocate resources where they are most needed, including attracting top clinicians and scientists, enhancing technological capabilities, and expanding community health programs. The couple initially sought to keep their donation private but chose to disclose their involvement to inspire further support for the ambitious initiative.
Dr. Lucchinetti noted the profound impact of the Coxes’ generosity, stating, “This extraordinary act of generosity adds momentum to bring our boldest aspirations to life and change healthcare in Austin as we know it.” She believes that this investment will motivate others to contribute to the vision of the medical center.
The University of Texas medical center is projected to open in 2030, with the aim of not just serving local residents but also setting a standard for academic medical institutions globally. As the project progresses, it promises to bring advanced medical treatments closer to home for countless individuals in Central Texas, ultimately enhancing the health and well-being of the community.
