Sylvia Trent-Adams became the seventh president of the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center in Fort Worth and the first black woman to lead the Health Sciences Center in Texas.

Her appointment was made official by the school board this week.

Adams was selected by the Regent as the sole finalist on August 19, after an eight-month nationwide search. State law requires the university governing board to nominate a finalist for the president at least 21 days before he makes any formal appointments.

“From the moment I first stepped onto the HSC campus in January 2020, I felt the energy and knew there was something different about this university,” Trent-Adams said in a statement. “It’s a desire to make a difference in people’s lives and that’s why I came to his HSC.”

The new president says HSC has set its sights on making a difference since its inception. Today, 50 years later, the HSC community continues to change the world every day, primarily through world-class research, education, patient care, and services.

“What makes HSC so special is that it does this with a rare combination of innovation and compassion,” he said, adding that he hopes to build on that legacy and shape HSC’s “next great chapter in its work for the common good.” Looking forward to it, said Trent-Adams.

Prior to his appointment as President, Trent-Adams served as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for the Health Science Center. She will become prime minister of the UNT system on January 1, succeeding Michael Williams, who remained president of HSC during the search process.

Located in the Fort Worth Cultural District, the Health Science Center trains future healthcare providers while expanding the frontiers of scientific discovery.

Start from “Listening Tour”

Trent-Adams said he will launch a listening tour to learn about the university’s priorities from HSC faculty, staff and students, in addition to community stakeholders.

According to the statement, her areas of interest include expanding HSC’s cutting-edge research on health disparities, Alzheimer’s disease, eye disease, forensic identification and more to bring it to public attention. Trent-Adams is also interested in expanding HSC’s clinical capabilities and academic programs. In holistic health and other initiatives, she broadens the university’s relationship with the community. Increased her fundraising and philanthropic efforts, according to her HSC statement.

“Dr. Sylvia Trent Adams is an outstanding academic health care leader,” said President Williams in a statement.

Williams said the new president will have “a unique vision, integrity and compassion to carry on HSC’s leadership.”

Now is the time for HSC, she says. Trent Adams has demonstrated both the “skills and imagination necessary to meet the challenges of our time and be an inspirational leader.”

The president of the Health Science Center reports to the president of the UNT system and is the university’s CEO, the statement said. The President is responsible for the overall leadership and management of all campus programs, services, and activities in all areas of the University, including academic affairs, administration, strategic planning, student services, financial management, external relations, and fundraising.

In a statement, UNT said the Rector will lead the campus’s critical and unique role in furthering the Center’s academic, research and outreach missions and supporting the University’s reputation as a center of academic health and science excellence. said they were using it, defending it, and using it. According to UNT, the president serves as a catalyst for creativity, innovation and progress.

Trent-Adams says: “I am humble and grateful, but undaunted by the task at hand. I am drawn to challenges and look forward to this great opportunity.”

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