Posted 11:26 pm Friday, November 16, 2012
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Regents approve North Tyler Health Science Center clinic
The University Of Texas System Board Of Regents Thursday approved measures proposed by officials at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, which include authorization to lease space for a new clinic in north Tyler, a partnership with Rusk State Hospital and rebranding efforts.
Regents were on the campus of the hospital for its regular meeting, which began Wednesday and will conclude today. This was the first time they convened in Tyler since November 2000.
Regents were on the campus of the hospital for its regular meeting, which began Wednesday and will conclude today. This was the first time they convened in Tyler since November 2000.
NEW PRIMARY CARE CLINIC
The health science center will secure a vacant building at 2235 W. Gentry Parkway in Tyler to be used as a multi-purpose clinic with educational and meeting spaces. The 25,944-square foot building would be secured for 10 years with an option to extend the lease another 10 years.
The lease and estimated operating expenses would cost the center $1.4 million and an additional $3.1 million in renovation costs.
Dr. Kirk Calhoun, president of the health science center, said Wednesday he expects the clinic to be open within six months to one year.
“We have been looking for an opportunity to better serve the north Tyler community for a very long time,” Calhoun said. “This property became available and we're asking the Regents permission to secure a long term lease there. We know we will be providing medical services at that location, but we really want to consult with the community and others before deciding which services will best serve north Tyler.”
Calhoun said the center's officials will be talking with community leaders, use in-house surveys and data provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services to identify services needed in that area. He said some of the issues already recognized are the needs for community members to have access to primary, urgent and pediatric services.
UT Health Science Center currently has clinic facilities in Gladewater and Overton and a residency training program in Longview's Good Shepherd Medical Center.
“We did not want to go into a community that was already being served,” Calhoun said. “We know north Tyler has needs and we want to be there to help meet those needs.”
The lease and estimated operating expenses would cost the center $1.4 million and an additional $3.1 million in renovation costs.
Dr. Kirk Calhoun, president of the health science center, said Wednesday he expects the clinic to be open within six months to one year.
“We have been looking for an opportunity to better serve the north Tyler community for a very long time,” Calhoun said. “This property became available and we're asking the Regents permission to secure a long term lease there. We know we will be providing medical services at that location, but we really want to consult with the community and others before deciding which services will best serve north Tyler.”
Calhoun said the center's officials will be talking with community leaders, use in-house surveys and data provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services to identify services needed in that area. He said some of the issues already recognized are the needs for community members to have access to primary, urgent and pediatric services.
UT Health Science Center currently has clinic facilities in Gladewater and Overton and a residency training program in Longview's Good Shepherd Medical Center.
“We did not want to go into a community that was already being served,” Calhoun said. “We know north Tyler has needs and we want to be there to help meet those needs.”
Mental Health Services
The health science center will enter into an agreement with DSHS as it aims to provide mental health services to Rusk State Hospital patients. The health science center will dedicate 30 beds to care for those patients.
The relationship also will bring more mental health services to the health science center. Calhoun said they plan to expand mental health care education for resident physicians in training at the center and open a small unit called the Cognitive Impairment Unit to serve patients with dementia.
The relationship also will bring more mental health services to the health science center. Calhoun said they plan to expand mental health care education for resident physicians in training at the center and open a small unit called the Cognitive Impairment Unit to serve patients with dementia.
New Name: UT Health-Northeast
Regents approved the center's desire to rebrand itself, beginning with its name. Calhoun noted that the center sees patients from 146 Texas counties, underscoring the need to have a shorter, more straightforward name.
It still will officially be The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, but use a simpler handle, UT Health-Northeast, for business purposes and easier recognition in the community.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have used UT Health Houston and UTMB Health, respectively, for business purposes.
Health science center officials will use local revenues, estimated at $3 million, for branding and advertising efforts. These efforts may include logo research and development and creative services.
It still will officially be The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, but use a simpler handle, UT Health-Northeast, for business purposes and easier recognition in the community.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have used UT Health Houston and UTMB Health, respectively, for business purposes.
Health science center officials will use local revenues, estimated at $3 million, for branding and advertising efforts. These efforts may include logo research and development and creative services.
