UT Health San Antonio Receives $6.5 Million Gift to Expand Pediatric Care Workforce Across South Texas
For families across San Antonio and South Texas, access to pediatric specialists can often mean long wait times, travel, or delayed care. A newly announced $6.5 million gift to UT Health San Antonio is designed to change that trajectory—by investing directly in the people who will care for the region’s children in the years ahead.
UT Health San Antonio, the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio), announced March 26 the creation of the Harvey E. Najim Pediatric Health Scholars Program, a workforce-focused initiative aimed at training and retaining pediatric healthcare professionals in high-need communities throughout Bexar County and beyond.
The program is expected to expand access to pediatric specialty care, reduce barriers for families seeking treatment, and strengthen long-term health outcomes for children across South Texas.
Building a Pipeline of Pediatric Specialists Where They’re Needed Most
At the heart of the initiative is a clear goal: address the growing shortage of pediatric healthcare providers in Texas—particularly in underserved areas.
The Harvey E. Najim Pediatric Health Scholars Program will support advanced training for:
- 36 pediatric dental residents
- 24 pediatric medical subspecialists
- 32 pediatric nurse practitioners
In addition, three annual scholarships—one each in dentistry, medicine, and nursing—will be awarded to students actively engaged in community service.
By easing financial pressures during critical training years, the program aims to encourage more students to pursue pediatric specialties, which often come with lower compensation and higher educational debt compared to other medical fields.
“A strong health workforce begins with meaningful, hands-on education,” said philanthropist Harvey E. Najim. “Through specialized training, the Pediatric Health Scholars Program prepares students to care for children while helping meet the growing pediatric health needs across our region. By strengthening the pipeline of skilled, compassionate healthcare professionals, the program supports lasting improvements in children's health outcomes.”
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Why This Matters for San Antonio and South Texas Communities
The need for pediatric specialists is not theoretical—it is already impacting families across the region.
According to KFF, more than 13% of children in Texas were uninsured in 2024, adding additional strain to an already stretched healthcare system. Shortages of pediatric dentists, subspecialists, and nurse practitioners can delay diagnoses, extend treatment timelines, and increase stress for families navigating care.
This program is designed to directly address those gaps by:
- Increasing the number of trained pediatric providers
- Expanding access to care for low-income and uninsured families
- Encouraging healthcare professionals to remain in the region long-term
“Harvey Najim's generosity reflects a deep commitment to improving the health and well-being of children and families — they are our future,” said Francisco Cigarroa, MD, senior executive vice president for health affairs and health system. “This gift allows us to invest where it matters most, supporting the next generation of pediatric specialists who will care for our communities for decades to come. This transformational and innovative gift will make our children's lives healthier and it will save lives.”
A Proven Strategy: Training Local, Keeping Talent Local
Data from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board highlights why this type of investment matters locally.
Nearly 59% of physicians who complete residency or fellowship training in Texas remain in the state to practice. That number rises to over 86% for those who complete both medical school and graduate training in Texas.
UT Health San Antonio’s own outcomes reinforce that trend:
- 94% of nursing graduates stay in Texas
- 88% of doctoral-level nursing graduates remain
- 64% of dental graduates continue practicing in-state
These figures point to a clear conclusion: investing in local education is one of the most effective ways to ensure long-term healthcare access for Texas communities.
“The Harvey E. Najim Pediatric Health Scholars Program is a transformational investment in children's health,” said Robert Hromas, MD, FACP, professor and dean of the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine. “By supporting trainees in pediatric subspecialties, we are expanding access to expert care and strengthening the future of health for families across South Texas.”
Removing Barriers for Future Pediatric Providers
For many aspiring healthcare professionals, the path to specialization—especially in pediatrics—can be financially challenging. Lower earning potential during training years, combined with student debt, often discourages entry into high-need pediatric fields.
This program is structured to remove those barriers, particularly for students committed to serving vulnerable populations.
“Advanced Practice Registered Nurses help fill a need in the community to deliver pediatric primary care services to our most vulnerable children in Bexar County,” said Sonya R. Hardin, PhD, RN, APRN-BC, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “This generous support removes barriers for nurses dedicated to pediatrict care, directly addressing the vital workforce needs for primary care across South Texas that helps change the lives of children.”
The initiative also strengthens pediatric oral health access—an area often overlooked but critical to overall child wellness.
“This important investment expands opportunities for our pediatric dentistry residents who face significant financial pressures,” said Kenneth Hargreaves, DDS, PhD, professor and dean of the School of Dentistry. “By supporting residents during the critical years of advanced education and training, we are strengthening the pipeline of pediatric oral health specialists and ensuring greater access to high-quality care for children across San Antonio and South Texas.”
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A Long-Term Impact That Extends Beyond the Classroom
Over time, the ripple effects of the program are expected to reach far beyond UT Health San Antonio’s campus.
Graduates of the Harvey E. Najim Pediatric Health Scholars Program are projected to care for hundreds of thousands of children throughout their careers—creating a multiplying impact across generations of families in San Antonio and surrounding communities.
The investment also builds on Harvey E. Najim’s longstanding support for UT San Antonio, including contributions to student success initiatives, the Najim Center for Innovation and Career Advancement, UTSA Athletics, and the Roadrunner Food Pantry.
“Harvey has always believed deeply in empowering young people to thrive through education,” said UT San Antonio President Taylor Eighmy. “His incredible generosity — now expanded to support pediatric health scholars — will have a significant impact in so many lives. We are deeply grateful for the passion and care he shows our students who will go on to care for the children throughout our community. There is no more powerful gift than to invest in the education of pediatric health care providers.”
What Happens Next for the Pediatric Health Scholars Program
As the program launches, UT Health San Antonio will begin recruiting and supporting cohorts of students, residents, and fellows across its schools of medicine, nursing, and dentistry.
For residents across San Antonio and Bexar County, the long-term outcome is clear: more pediatric specialists, improved access to care, and a stronger healthcare system designed to meet the needs of growing families.
As South Texas continues to grow, initiatives like this signal a broader shift—one focused on building infrastructure not just in buildings or technology, but in people.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.