HOUSTON – Future doctors going to school at the University of Houston’s new College of Medicine will have a little less of a financial burden looming over them.

An anonymous donation of $3 million will pay the full tuition for the college’s first class when students begin in the fall of 2020, according to school leaders.

“Student debt is the number one deterrent for students when applying to medical school,” said UH President Renu Khator. “This generous gift will allow such students an opportunity to attend and ultimately lead the future medical workforce. As a result, the UH College of Medicine will increase access to primary care, enhance quality of life and strengthen Houston as a business destination.”

The school’s goal is to graduate at least 50 percent of students to specialize in primary care, officials said.

"We really are focused on training physicians from Texas for Texas, people who will practice in underserved areas in our state both inner-city and rural," said Dr. Stephen Spann, founding dean of the UH College of Medicine.

Texas ranks 47th out of 50 states in primary care physician-to-population ratio, officials said.

