The UTRGV School of Medicine recently completed the final stage of accreditation required by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. UTRGV President Guy Bailey said this significant milestone, while expected, is also important for the Rio Grande Valley. Moving forward, the school can now increase the number of students it is able to admit each year.

Being able to develop and train more future doctors will also allow the School of Medicine to continue to address the shortage of medical care throughout the region.

The UTRGV School of Medicine averages between 6,000 and 7,000 applicants from prospective students each year, and in May graduated its fourth class. It will welcome its eighth class of students this summer.

“This is all part of the expected evolution of our School of Medicine, and the Rio Grande Valley community should be proud of what we’ve already accomplished and what we will accomplish in the future,” Bailey said. “When the dream of a School of Medicine was created in 2014, we were charged with helping to improve the health and well-being of the Valley. This latest accreditation milestone will only help us to enhance our medical care.

“I would like to thank School of Medicine Dean Michael Hocker for his continued leadership and for helping guide the School of Medicine to this latest milestone,” Bailey added.

A Medical Education Milestone

The LCME accredits medical education programs leading to the M.D. degree in the United States and Canada. While the LCME granted the UTRGV School of Medicine initial accreditation when the school first opened in 2015, last week’s announcement capped a seven-year review process that affirms the highest standards in the training of future M.D. physicians.

Hocker also serves as senior vice president for UT Health Rio Grande Valley. He states accreditation is a key moment to celebrate everyone’s hard work in the achievement.

“We are committed to serving the Rio Grande Valley through innovative medical education programs, advanced research and high-quality clinical services,” he said, “and this latest milestone allows us to continue on that path.

“I would like to thank the LCME and everyone who helped our School of Medicine through this accreditation process. This was a team effort, and I couldn’t be more excited about the outcome. This is incredible news for the entire Rio Grande Valley.”