Austin Already Benefits From Teaching Hospitals

Dear Editor,
   In a Sept. 10 article ["Is There a Doctor in the House," News] regarding the possibility of a medical school in Austin, the reporter quotes Anne Dunkleberg who incorrectly states Austin is not served by a teaching hospital. In addition to hosting students from UT's nursing and pharmacy schools, Brackenridge Hospital, Children's Hospital of Austin, and Seton Shoal Creek Hospital are the main sites for Austin Medical Education Programs, Austin's only medical residency program. With more than 117 resident physicians in seven fields, AMEP is comparable in size to many university-based programs.
   As Dunkleberg points out, communities often benefit from the presence of a teaching hospital, and Austin is certainly no exception. Beyond short-term benefits such as providing indigent and charity care, many former AMEP residents choose to stay in Austin and practice after their training. AMEP has also established a close affiliation with the UT Medical Branch at Galveston. Many of their third-year students receive training here on a year-round basis. In fact, part of what makes Austin attractive to UTMB as a location for a second campus is the presence of an already-established, thriving residency program.
   In addition, this past year, Brackenridge Hospital was recognized as one of the top 100 teaching hospitals in the country for the third year in a row. Austin should be proud of this resource, which benefits so many in the community.