A $1 Billion Commitment to Build What’s Next in Health and Life Sciences
Health Innovation Texas

Building World-Class Health Care in Austin

Last updated
April 21, 2026

Two medical researchers work in a lab.

Overview

For over 20 years, the deep partnership among leading medical institutions has been transforming health in Austin, expanding access to world-class care close to home.

Our Investment

0

Projects

$0M

Commitments

Growth and Response

As Greater Austin’s population has grown, so has the demand for more comprehensive and connected care. By partnering with Austin’s top practitioners and health care institutions, we are creating a medical system that meets families’ needs — from world-class transplant and surgery centers to new care models that expand access to preventive care and treatment.

Together, these efforts are helping shape a health system where every family can access the care they need — and where innovation continues to expand what’s possible for patients over time.

Establishing Partnerships

Since 2004, we have helped expand access to health care in Austin, starting with the establishment and growth of Dell Children’s Medical Center, the only Level 1 pediatric trauma center in Central Texas.

We’ve also helped build institutions like the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living. In 2012, we partnered to establish Dell Medical School at UT Austin — leveraging the university’s Tier I research ecosystem to advance health care innovation, train a new generation of physician leaders, and graduate its first class of doctors in 2020.

Today, that foundation supports a broader vision: a more connected approach to health care, where care, research, and education continuously inform and strengthen one another. In 2030, UT Austin will launch the UT Dell Campus for Advanced Research and the UT Dell Medical Center — expanding what’s possible for patients in Central Texas and beyond.

Continuous Advancement

Over two decades, Austin has evolved into a leading health care hub where clinicians, researchers, and innovators converge. Patients increasingly benefit from advanced care close to home, without leaving their communities or support systems, while the city continues to emerge as a national and global leader in innovation-driven health care.

With new investments, Austin is poised to build on that foundation, ensuring that as care becomes more advanced, it also becomes more accessible for the families who rely on it every day.

20+ Years of Innovation

2006
Advancing Public Health

The Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living is created to promote evidence-based practices in school health, nutrition, and physical activity — serving as a trusted community voice and informing programs and practices to improve health for children and families.

Local children stand in a group.
2007
Launching World-Class Pediatric Care

Dell Children’s Medical Center opens, becoming the only Level 1 pediatric trauma center in Central Texas, and one of only five in the state.

Dell Children's Medical Center exterior.
2010
Bridging Research and Pediatric Care

A $38 million challenge grant from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation helps launch the Dell Pediatric Research Institute, with a goal of establishing clinically linked research capabilities to improve health outcomes for children and families in Central Texas.

2013
Bolstering Lifesaving Pediatric Care

Dell Children’s Medical Center expands, adding a new bed tower to serve more families in their hometown.

A smiling infant girl.
2017
Elevating Medical Innovation

With a $25 million commitment from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Dell Seton Medical Center opens as Austin’s Level 1 adult trauma center, driving health innovation and clinical care as the teaching hospital for Dell Medical School.

Exterior view of Dell Seton Medical Center.
2020
Expanding Access to Pediatric Care

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation commits a $30 million matching grant to help build the Dell Children’s Specialty Pavilion, expanding subspecialty care and keeping more children with complex needs close to home.

2020
Collaborating on Cardiac Innovations

Dell Children’s Medical Center launches its heart transplant program through The Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease — a partnership with UT Health Austin, Dell Medical School’s clinical practice.

A doctor in surgical gear performs a procedure.
2020
Transforming Health Care

Dell Medical School graduates its inaugural class of 50 new physicians — aligned with the mission of redefining health.

A Dell Medical School graduate poses with his family.
2021
Reaching Major Milestones

Dell Children’s Medical Center performs its 1000th pediatric heart surgery.

A mother and her baby in a stroller surrounded by celebrating medical professionals.
2021
Breaking New Ground in Maternal Fetal Care

Dell Children’s Medical Center opens its Specialized Delivery Unit — the region’s first labor and delivery unit inside a children’s hospital — keeping mothers and critically ill newborns together for immediate, specialized care.

A ribbon cutting in front of the Dell Children's Medical Center.
2022
Advancing Cardiac Care

The Institute for Cardiovascular Health — a partnership between Ascension Texas, The University of Texas at Austin, and Dell Medical School — opens to offer world-class diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and long-term management under one roof.

2022
Introducing Additional Advanced Specialties

Dell Children’s Medical Center marks its 15th anniversary while opening its fourth bed tower — including intensive care, cancer, hematology, and acute care units.

2023
Opening New Doors to Pediatric Care

Dell Children’s Medical Center North opens, expanding access to care for Austin and its growing suburbs.

An exterior shot of the Dell Children's Medical Center building.
2023
Achieving Medical Breakthroughs

The first pediatric partial heart transplant in Texas is performed at Dell Children’s Medical Center, in partnership with Dell Medical School — one of only seven performed worldwide.

2025
Earning National Recognition

U.S. News & World Report names Dell Children’s Medical Center No. 10 in the country for pediatric cardiology, with six other specialties also earning national recognition and an overall ranking of No. 3 in Texas and the Southwest.

2026
Building the Future of Health Care

UT and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation announce the UT Dell Campus for Advanced Research and UT Dell Medical Center, opening in 2030 in Austin. The integrated campus will unite research, education, and care, including a new UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, expanding access to specialty care across Central Texas.

UT Dell Campus for Advanced Research and the UT Dell Medical Center

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