As delivered.

Thank you, Dr. Hromas, for hosting us on this historic day, as we celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in health care for San Antonio and South Texas.

For millions of families across 38 South Texas counties, access to world-class healthcare shouldn't be limited by geography or circumstance. And it never will be!

Today, as we dedicate the new San Antonio Multispecialty and Research Hospital, we are establishing a new frontier of healthcare excellence where complex surgeries, advanced cancer treatments, and groundbreaking clinical research will transform patient care for the people of this rapidly expanding region and the emerging global city of San Antonio.

Here, the combined strength of our schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions, biomedical sciences, and public health joins forces with 1,400 healthcare providers and a $300 million plus research enterprise to create a complete ecosystem of discovery, healing, and hope that will advance healthcare delivery in San Antonio for generations to come.

The Multispecialty and Research Hospital has been nearly a decade in the making and represents a more-than-$470 million commitment to San Antonio's health care from the UT System Board of Regents, the generosity of San Antonio's philanthropists, in addition to UT Health's commitment.

This investment in, and for, San Antonio was the vision of the late Bill Henrich, who led this university for 15 years with great distinction and admiration. This hospital was his dream, his vision, and today, the house that Bill built has been realized. Just a year ago, in October 2023, Bill spoke about the future of UT Health San Antonio and referenced this hospital when he said: “This is a new era for us—and everything in this new era, anything in this new era—is possible for UT Health San Antonio.”

We are deeply grateful for all Bill did for the UT System, San Antonio, and the state of Texas, and it is a fitting tribute to see a major piece of his legacy come to life right here before our eyes.

Bill was a wonderful man and an even better dresser. Mary was kind enough to give me a selection of his ties. In his honor, I’m wearing one today!

Bill’s vision will make possible state-of-the-art imaging, on-site labs, and advanced specialties. More than 1,600 specialists and sub-specialists will deliver advanced, personalized care to every patient—from routine procedures to stem cell treatments, bone marrow transplants, and highly complex spine, vascular, and neurosurgeries. This new hospital will also help us train the next generation of healthcare leaders in San Antonio and South Texas with 100 new medical resident positions who will be our future physician workforce, by completing their post-graduate training here in San Antonio.

UT Health San Antonio's powerhouse research capacity is a huge asset for this hospital—ranking in the top 5% globally for clinical medicine research and among the world's most-cited research institutions (U.S. News and World Report). That translates into the rapid introduction of new therapies and attracts leading researchers. 

This was Bill Henrich’s vision. But it was possible because of the support of the UT System Board of Regents, and the support in large measure is the result of the work of Vice Chairman Rad Weaver, a native of San Antonio, and one of its keen champions. Vice Chairman Weaver learned early life lessons about leadership, hard work, and thinking one step ahead from his father and later under the mentorship of one of San Antonio's historic driving forces Red McCombs. No surprise that Rad is a fierce competitor, and the UT System and San Antonio are lucky to have his leadership.

Please join me in welcoming Vice Chairman Rad Weaver, to the podium.