Adrian Hernandez|THE RIDER
The new UTRGV School of Optometry, which is set to open in Fall 2027, is designed to address the shortage of optometrists in the Rio Grande Valley, according to its inaugural dean.
William Miller, inaugural dean of the School of Optometry, said the school has successfully completed the first stage of the three-stage accreditation process and is now preparing for stage two.
“We got through stage one just fine,” Miller said.
He said many optometrists often practice in San Antonio or Houston. The target areas for the school are the RGV and West Texas.
“Our goal is that we draw from the Valley and they stay in the Valley,” Miller said. “I want them staying here because the need is here.”
The school, which is located at the former Monitor building at 1400 E. Nolana in McAllen, is completing a self study that will be submitted to the accreditors before a remote meeting set to take place in November. Miller said the school hopes to learn after the meeting if it has advanced through the second stage.
If the school advances through the accreditation process and receives pre-approval, UTRGV will be able to begin recruiting students and accepting applications. Miller said the best-case scenario for that would be around mid spring 2027.
The university is aiming to start classes in Fall 2027 to match next year’s academic calendar.
The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved on Aug. 12 the expenditure of $41.3 million from the Permanent University Fund for renovations to the building, which will be divided between an academic and clinical space.
Miller said the public will likely see construction at the end of September or early October.
“The academic side will be done by the end of June 2027 … so that’s phase one. The clinic won’t be done until December 2027 because we don’t need it right away,” he said.
The clinic portion of the facility will consist of 31 examination rooms and will serve students, faculty, staff and members of the public.
“ We will have 31 … eye lanes, clinic rooms,” Miller said. “There’ll be plenty of room to see patients.”
Adrian Hernandez|THE RIDER
The school intends to enroll 40 students in its first class and employ 21 faculty members.
He added the school has continued to hire administration and recently hired its first full-time faculty member who will teach ocular anatomy.
Miller said the area has fewer optometrists than expected due to its population and local providers have told him they have trouble recruiting optometrists.
Valerie Gonzalez, an integrated health science freshman, said she believes the program will benefit healthcare professionals in the area.
Nefi Guzman, a business management junior, said she thinks it’ll increase the number of optometrists in the Valley.
“’Cause usually when they go up to San Antonio, they’ll just get a job there as well and they’ll stay there,” Guzman said.
For Miller, the biggest milestone will be welcoming the first cohort of students.
“It’s always about the students,” he said.
