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One school to five
The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth (HSC Fort Worth) began when the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) accepted its first students in 1970. Founders were D.D. Beyer, DO; George Luibel, DO; and Carl Everett, DO. The first class of doctors of osteopathic medicine graduated in 1974.
In May 1975, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 216, which made TCOM a state assisted medical school under the jurisdiction of the North Texas State University Board of Regents.
TCOM transformed into a Health Science Center with the addition of the School of Biomedical Sciences (SBS) in 1993, a Physician Assistant Studies Program, now the Department of Physician Assistant Studies (PA) in 1997, and the School of Public Health (SPH) in 1999.
Growth continued with additional of the fourth and fifth schools -the School of Health Professions (SHP), in 1997 and the College of Pharmacy (SCP) in 2013.
Physical growth
Initially, TCOM held classes in a converted bowling alley and a garage apartment. Those makeshift classrooms evolved into a modern campus in the heart of the Fort Worth Cultural District.
In 2005, HSC Fort Worth purchased the adjacent former Osteopathic Medical Center of Texas property, increasing the campus from 16 to 33 acres.
In 2018, HSC Fort Worth built its newest campus facility, the Interdisciplinary Research and Education Building. The five-story, 173,000 square-foot building houses the HSC College of Pharmacy and the North Texas Eye Research Institute. It was the first new research building at the Health Science Center in 14 years.
Research
In 2018, HSC Fort Worth founded the Institute for Translational Research to give patients access to therapeutics and diagnostics faster than ever before. Led by Executive Director Sid O’Bryant, PhD, the Institute works to translate basic science into treatments and new procedures for Alzheimer’s and other diseases.
In 2020, the Institute received a $45 million grant from the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, to examine the biological differences that cause Alzheimer’s disease to disproportionately afflict Mexican Americans. It is one of the largest research grants ever awarded to HSC. Additionally, HSC invested $7 million to include African Americans in the project.
Community
HSC Fort Worth proudly serves the community through a variety of community and school outreach programs. HSC Fort Worth founded our signature event, the annual Cowtown Marathon; and co-founded Fort Worth’s annual Hispanic Wellness Fair; and remains highly involved in both.
HSC Forth Worth launched Fort Worth’s first Mobile Pediatric Clinic in 2013 to deliver health care to children living in underserved parts of the city.
In 2020, HSC Fort Worth helped lead the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in North Texas, opening two drive-through testing centers, assisting in contact tracing, educating the public with fact-based health and safety information and working to protect underserved and at-risk communities.
Leadership
Six presidents have led HSC Fort Worth:
- Marion E. Coy, DO, 1972-1981
- Ralph L. Willard, DO, 1981-1985
- David M. Richards, DO, 1986-1999
- Ronald R. Blanck, DO, 2001- 2006
- Scott B. Ransom, DO, MBA, MPH, 2006-2012
- Michael R. Williams, DO, MD, MBA, 2012-current
HSC Fort Worth Today
Purpose: Transform lives in order to improve the lives of others.
Vision: Create One University built on values, defining and producing the providers of the future.
Mission: Create solutions for a healthier community
Our Values
- Serve Others First
- Integrity
- Respect
- Collaboration
- Be Visionary
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