Recent articles and opinion pieces regarding the University of North Texas Health Science Center, the UNT System and the firing of former UNTHSC President Scott Ransom have raised concerns over the commitment of the school to Fort Worth and generated criticism of actions by the board of regents. From my experience representing House District 99, which includes the UNTHSC campus, I find these concerns unfounded and the criticism of Chancellor Lee Jackson off-base.
Through the tenures of six presidents, the University of North Texas System has been a stalwart partner to Fort Worth and to the Health Science Center. Jackson and the UNT System board have done everything local leaders have asked them to do to support legislative initiatives in the city. Administrators come and go, but the institution grows in presence and stature in Fort Worth, and for that Jackson and the UNT System deserve full credit.In 1974, the Texas Legislature asked the UNT Board of Regents to take responsibility for the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, and since then Fort Worth's medical school has grown to five colleges on the historic Camp Bowie Boulevard campus.Even as recently as the last legislative session, Jackson and UNT System board members took the lead to work with state Sen. Jane Nelson, myself and our colleagues in the Legislature to secure approval for the state's newest College of Pharmacy in Fort Worth at UNTHSC. I am confident they will continue to be a committed partner to our city and remain a vital part of our health and education community.Under Jackson's tenure, TCOM received -- for the first time -- a top 50 ranking in U.S. News and World Report, and various programs and the school have remained ranked since that time. In 2004, the Biotechnology Center was completed, housing the world-renowned Center for Human Identification and the Texas Missing Persons Database, as well as the joint program for TECH Fort Worth. Campus size doubled with the purchase of the former site of Fort Worth Osteopathic Medical Center, and the new Medical Education & Training Building was constructed.In 2005, UNTHSC doubled the size of its clinical faculty under the leadership of former President Ron Blanck and secured its first major contracts with John Peter Smith Hospital, greatly expanding its reach in providing for the healthcare needs of our community. The School of Health Professions enrolled its first students in 2007, consisting of students in the Physician Assistant and Physical Therapy programs, and the new School of Pharmacy is planning to enroll its first students in September.In summary, under Jackson's leadership, UNTHSC doubled its campus size, added 272,000 gross square feet in new building space, began two new colleges and doubled its clinical faculty. This doesn't seem like a retreat from Fort Worth to me.As far as the firing of Dr. Scott Ransom, I am confident that UNT System leaders, who know all the facts, acted in the best interest of the school. Under Ransom's tenure, the school lost several good faculty members, including some deans, who sought work at other institutions. Additionally, student satisfaction dropped precipitously, reflected in the student satisfaction survey results during that period.The board is making necessary changes to enhance opportunities for the Health Science Center, its students and faculty, and to ensure its viability for years to come.State Rep. Charlie Geren. R-Fort Worth, represents House District 99 in the Texas Legislature.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
