An ‘AI-native’—and lavishly funded—medical center grows in Texas
A wealthy and philanthropic couple is upping their commitment to healthcare technology. The couple’s total giving to one lucky academic medical institution has surpassed $1 billion, much of which will go toward pushing AI and advanced computing further into medicine.
Michael and Susan Dell of Dell Technologies fame made their latest gift to the University of Texas at Austin April 21 in the amount of $750 million.
Together with their previous donations, the monetary infusion will go toward building the UT Dell Campus for Advanced Research.
The largest single component of this is likely to be the “AI-native” UT Dell Medical Center, now slated for opening in 2030.
UT-Austin says the center will feature a fully integrated, patient-centered care model leveraging AI and advanced computing to optimize prevention, diagnosis, treatment and discovery.
While they’re at it, the Dells and UT-Austin’s leadership will look to raise another $10 billion and, along the way, put UT-Austin on a trajectory to become one of the top 10 medical institutions in the U.S.
“UT-Austin, where Dell Technologies was founded from a dorm room, has always been a place where bold ideas become real-world impact,” Michael and Susan Dell said in prepared remarks posted by the university. “What makes this moment so meaningful is the opportunity to build something that brings every part of the journey together—from how students learn to how discoveries are made to how care reaches families.”
It’s no surprise that the project involves a close collaboration with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
On that note, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott weighs in.
“Bringing together UT and the world-renowned MD Anderson into one integrated care center connects two excellent institutions whose work will drive the next generation of medical breakthroughs,” Abbott says.
“Texas already dominates in technology, energy and business,” Abbott boasts, “and now we will further cement our leadership in healthcare innovation as well.”
Full university announcement here, media coverage all over.
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.