Remember the year 1943. That was the beginning of the Southwestern Medical College. This Southwestern Medical College Plaque marks a pivotal moment in Dallas history. It stands as a testament to vision and growth.
Southwestern Medical College started small. It was a wartime medical college. Over time it transformed into the UT Southwestern Medical Center. It is now a multifaceted academic institution. The Southwestern Medical College is nationally recognized. It excels in educating physicians and biomedical scientists. It also trains healthcare personnel.
The story of UT Southwestern Medical Center began with commitment. It showed dedication to discovery. It also showed service to the community. It is a story of phenomenal growth. Exceptional people fueled this growth. Their extraordinary vision was to establish a medical center. This center would be second to none.
In 1939 Edward H Cary and Karl Hoblitzelle organized Southwestern Medical Foundation. These prominent Dallas citizens aimed to promote medical education. They also wanted to advance research in Dallas. When Baylor University moved its medical school to Houston in 1943 the Foundation acted. It formally established Southwestern Medical College. It became the 68th medical school in the United States.
After World War II a new state medical school was proposed. Leaders of Southwestern Medical Foundation made an offer. They offered the college’s equipment and library. They also offered certain restricted funds to The University of Texas. The condition was that the University would locate its new medical branch in Dallas. The Board of Regents accepted this offer in 1949. The college became Southwestern Medical School of The University of Texas.
In 1954 the name changed. It became The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. In 1955 the school moved. The present campus on Harry Hines Boulevard was occupied. This happened after the completion of the Edward H Cary Building. The Medical School faculty was placed next to Parkland Memorial Hospital.
The scope of the Medical School changed in November 1972. It was reorganized into The University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas. The UT System Board of Regents approved this concept. It allowed for continued growth. Coordinated but separate medical, graduate, and undergraduate components were planned. They would interact on problems of human health.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute opened a research facility on campus in 1986. Concentrating on molecular biology it brought scientists to head laboratories. These investigators also held faculty positions in the Medical and Graduate schools.
In October 1987 the UT System Board of Regents approved another name change. The health science center became The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. This reconfirmed its original Southwestern identity. The Medical Center includes UT Southwestern Medical School and other schools.
A partnership with the Seton Family of Hospitals was approved in October 2009. This significantly increased the number of residents practicing at Seton facilities. The agreement also bolstered medical research projects.
In February 2011 the institution’s name changed again. It became The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. The words “at Dallas” were removed. This reflected the school’s growing breadth.
UT Southwestern is now a major medical center. It has facilities in multiple locations. It continues to work to remain at the pinnacle of medical institutions. This Southwestern Medical College Plaque commemorates the humble beginnings of this impressive institution. It reminds us of the power of vision, dedication, and community support.