The University of Houston and Humana announced a partnership Sept. 25 under which the insurer will provide $15 million over 10 years to help pay for the construction of the university's medical school.
Here are four things to know:
1. The organizations will create the Humana Integrated Health System Sciences Institute at the University of Houston, which will house the institution's new medical school, as well as its existing nursing, pharmacy, social work and optometry colleges. The $15 million in funding will be used to defray the startup and operational costs, as well as fund endowed chair positions at each of the five colleges.
2. The goal of the collaboration is to graduate physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals trained in population health initiatives and who have a propensity for primary care and helping underserved populations.
3. The partnership will also provide additional opportunities for Humana officials to engage in adjunct professorship and teaching positions, and the creation of research labs, internships and rotational programs for students to provide practical experience.
4. The UH College of Medicine is pending approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Legislature, as well as accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. Officials plan to admit 30 students to its inaugural class once obtaining the necessary approvals.