Technology entrepreneur Michael Dell will become UT-Austin’s first billion-dollar donor.
The university announced Tuesday that the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation had pledged $750 million towards the construction of a medical research facility as part of the expansion of the Medical School that was already named after Dell.
Dell made a $50 million donation to the medical school in 2013, and combined with a series of other donations—primarily focused on information technology—has become the university’s first billion-dollar donor.
Dell attended UT-Austin in the 1980s, but dropped out to found his eponymous computer company.
At a press conference with state and university officials held at the site of the planned facility, the Dells stressed the need to build a world-class university medical center that integrates modern technology from the ground up.
“The future of healthcare starts right here, right now,” said Gov. Greg Abbott. “Through this new campus and medical center, Texas will lead America in healthcare innovation. The next generation of medical breakthroughs will take place in Central Texas. More patients will have access to better healthcare that is uniquely tailored to their own personal needs.”
Dr. Claudia F. Lucchinetti, dean of the Dell Medical School, said the new center will combine artificial intelligence, data science, and biomedical discovery to provide patient care.
Lucchinetti called the center “the nation’s first AI native academic medical center designed from the ground up without the constraints of legacy systems and with the opportunity to rethink how care is delivered at every level.”
UT System Regent Chairman Kevin Eltife announced in February that the new facility would be located at the North Austin property. The university was previously expected to build this facility on its main campus but changed plans due to a lack of space at the original planned location.
The new facility is projected to open in 2030.
UT-Austin is a component of the University of Texas System. The UT System is overseen by a Board of Regents that is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate. Kevin Eltife of Tyler is the current board chairman.
