After DHR Health cut ties with UTRGV’s medical school last October, the hospital announced a new academic partner to provide a new residency program for medical students,

The new program with Texas A&M University Health Science Center means DHR Health will still be training doctors. 

“We will continue to train and mentor the next generation of physicians that are greatly needed,” DHR Health board Chairman Carlos Cardenas said.

Texas A&M University says the Valley’s population of 18 to 24 year olds is why they’re expanding their presence in the Valley.

According to a 2014 study, the U.S. has an average of 240 doctors per 100,000 people.

The Valley has 124 doctors per 100,000 people.

DHR Health breast cancer Surgeon Dr. Lisa Chapa said the new residency program could solve that problem.

“We get to see them much sooner, and we get to diagnose them much, much sooner, and their prognosis and life expectancy is much longer,” Chapa said.

The partnership would also include clinical research programs.

As a Valley native herself, Chapa says this will also help local medical school graduates to stay, train and invest in the area.

The residency program is expected to start in July. 

DHR Health said the already have residents ready to start their new careers that day, including from UTRGV residents that were stranded after the university and health system cut ties last October.