UTRGV opens state-of-the-art Cancer and Surgery Center, transforming access to advanced healthcare in the Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) has inaugurated the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center in McAllen, marking a turning point in the region’s access to specialized medical care and research. 

The new facility represents years of strategic planning to provide world-class cancer treatment, surgical services, and clinical innovation directly to the communities of the Rio Grande Valley — eliminating the need for patients to travel long distances for critical care.

Bringing advanced care closer to home

The opening of this center ensures that patients can now access comprehensive oncology, hematology, orthopedics, and outpatient surgical services all under one roof. The facility was designed with a patient-centered approach, integrating advanced diagnostic imaging, infusion therapy, rehabilitation, and laboratory services to deliver efficient and coordinated treatment.

The UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center stands as the only academic medical facility of its kind in the region, offering not only top-tier clinical care but also a platform for medical training, clinical trials, and translational research. This integrated model aims to expand access to innovative therapies while building local expertise to meet future healthcare demands.

A new standard for regional healthcare

The center features cutting-edge imaging technologies, including MRI 3T, CT, and mammography systems, alongside the Valley’s first Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS). It also houses a dedicated oncology pharmacy designed to meet the highest national safety standards, ensuring timely and personalized cancer treatment.

With the launch of this facility, the Rio Grande Valley gains its first locally based hub for comprehensive cancer care and surgical specialization, allowing patients to receive diagnosis, treatment, and recovery services within their own community.

UTRGV leadership emphasized that this milestone is more than a healthcare advancement — it represents a commitment to equity, innovation, and regional empowerment. By strengthening the Valley’s medical infrastructure, the university is closing historical care gaps and fostering a healthier, more resilient population.

Training the next generation of medical professionals

Beyond clinical care, the Cancer and Surgery Center will serve as a training ground for future physicians, nurses, and medical researchers, reinforcing UTRGV’s mission to cultivate homegrown talent equipped to serve the Valley’s unique healthcare needs.

Through this initiative, UTRGV continues to bridge education, research, and community service — creating a sustainable model that combines academic excellence with accessible healthcare.

The center’s opening reaffirms the region’s growing capacity for medical innovation and sets the foundation for continued investment in advanced health infrastructure across South Texas.