Issue link: https://tmcpulse.uberflip.com/i/980339
t m c » p u l s e | m a y 2 0 1 8 16 "It has always been clear to me that if you want to be in the top tier of medicine, you have to be in the Texas Medical Center," John Sharp, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, said at the press conference. "Texas A&M—along with the other schools involved with this initiative— undoubtedly will make a huge difference in the lives and health of Texans and people all over the world." Collaboration and competition TMC 3 marks the first time in Texas Medical Center history when a campus is being created to support multiple institutions. The goal is to foster collaboration amid the culture of competition that is embedded within the 61 institutions that cur- rently make up the TMC. McKeon likes to use the phrase 'collabatition' when referring to the ethos he hopes TMC 3 will inspire, where collabora- tion plus competition equals some- thing beneficial to all involved. It's time, he said, for Texas to become the "third coast" for life sciences, so that Houston can compete on a global scale. "Our institutions have risen individually to become the best in the world, and we know that by aligning our efforts and resources, we will have the most prolific life sciences ecosystem in the world," McKeon said. "For 70 years, the Texas Medical Center has thrived as competition spawned innova- tion unlike anywhere else. But just imagine what the next 70 years will hold if we maintain that competitive spirit while using our resources to work toward shared goals." For the five founding institu- tions, the chance to collaborate sup- ported their overarching missions. "Houston has been an education and research home to The Texas A&M University Health Science Center for more than 30 years," said Carrie Byington, M.D., senior vice president of The Texas A&M University Health Science Center and vice chancellor for health ser- vices at The Texas A&M University System. "I'm excited to continue working collaboratively with our peers across the Texas Medical Center and to witness firsthand the results of this novel endeavor, which will serve as a new model for biomedical innovation and col- laboration. This will be especially important as we educate the nation's future physician engineers or 'physicianeers' through our EnMed program, in partnership with Houston Methodist Hospital." McKeon noted that the trend in National Institutes of Health fund- ing seems to be rewarding multi- Below: A rendering of the south end of the TMC 3 campus shows a track that will be illuminated in the evenings. For 70 years, the Texas Medical Center has thrived as competition spawned innovation unlike anywhere else. But just imagine what the next 70 years will hold if we maintain that competitive spirit while using our resources to work toward shared goals. — WILLIAM F. McKEON President and CEO of the Texas Medical Center