Paths to Excellence

This is the compelling story of how one of America's great universities, civic leaders, the private sector, and an entire community came together to support the creation of a new medical school to meet the health challenges of the twenty-first century. ~Darrell Kirch, MD, President Emeritus of the Association of American Medical Colleges

Paths to Excellence is both an exquisitely detailed history of medical education within the University of Texas System since 1883 and a wonderfully crafted record of the more recent build-out of medical education in Austin that resulted in the establishment of the Dell Medical School in 2012. It shines a spotlight on the leaders who made it all happen. Ken Shine and Amy Shaw Thomas give us an extraordinarily important scholarly work that will be studied by students and scholars for generations to come. This is a must-read for all who cherish the University of Texas and its commitment to the pursuit of excellence. ~Steve Leslie, PhD, Provost, UT Austin 2007–2013

As our guides on the path to how the Dell Medical School was established, Ken Shine and Amy Shaw Thomas share an important and in-depth perspective on the original vision, opportunities, and challenges faced along the way. They profile the many individuals in Texas who played pivotal roles in garnering support from the state legislature, Seton Healthcare Family, and philanthropists to secure approval for the medical school from UT’s Board of Regents. ~Francisco Cigarroa, MD, Chancellor, University of Texas System 2009–2015

As the economy in Texas evolves and Central Texas becomes a hub of innovation, the University of Texas System in Austin helps lead the way in the fields of medical devices and technologies. The effort to make the Dell Medical School a reality was just the beginning of this new opportunity. Paths to Excellence chronicles the hard work of the many visionary leaders who overcame substantial hurdles in working together to make this happen, and the lessons learned here can be applied to all our future endeavors in improving health care for everyone. ~Pete Winstead, Attorney and Founding Shareholder of Winstead PC Law Firm