The force of Temple’s Life Sciences and Health industry is undeniable.
In 2019, the city had 2,754 health and life sciences establishments, and it currently boasts one of the highest concentrations of healthcare professionals in Texas. More than 30% of the population — or close to 25,000 people — are trained and working in the field.
Temple is also a breeding ground for local entrepreneurship in the life sciences space. One key resource for early-stage biotech companies is Temple Health and Bioscience District (THBD), which was created by legislation to support the economic development of Central Texas with a focus on health and bioscience. THBD is the only organization of its kind in Texas and is publicly funded by the citizens of Temple.
Temple’s health and life sciences industry supports surrounding neighborhoods as well, generating an estimated $102.6 million in local tax revenue for cities, counties, and school districts in the region in 2019.
Temple’s World-Class Life Sciences Community
Established in 2009 to promote future development around existing industry assets, the Temple Medical and Educational District (TMED) is where some of Texas’ greatest healthcare institutions are putting world-class healthcare at the fingertips of Central Texas. In partnership with the city, key public and private entities collaborate to promote education and create a “university village,” which includes student and employee housing, retail, dining, medical education, research centers, medical services, hike and bike trails, performing arts center, transportation services — all at the heart of downtown Temple.
Several leading medical device, life science and biotech companies call Temple home, including QuVa Pharma and Ascension. Plus, Everest Rehabilitation Hospitals recently opened a new, $23 million state of the art facility, spanning six acres of campus, creating 120 new jobs, and bolstering the city’s reputation as a leader in healthcare.
Additionally, Baylor Scott & White Health is the only Trauma I (1) Center between Austin and Dallas, and McLane Children’s Hospital is the only children’s hospital between Dallas and Austin. The Veterans Affairs Medical Center serves more than 250,000 veterans across 39 local counties each year and is the largest VA medical consortium in Texas.
A Healthy Interest in Life Sciences and Health
An array of science and technology colleges have been expanding the health and life sciences workforce in central Texas over the past decade, bolstered by a comprehensive medical education cluster including Texas A&M University-Central Texas, Texas A&M College of Medicine, University of Mary Hardin Baylor and Temple College.
Life sciences education momentum is building in Temple, too. In 2020, Houston-based Baylor College of Medicine announced plans to open a new medical school campus in Temple in collaboration with Baylor Scott & White Health (the largest not-for-profit health care system in the state of Texas). The new campus is slated to open in fall 2023 with an inaugural class of 40 medical students with plans welcome 160 students over four years.
“This is a great opportunity to expand Baylor College of Medicine’s outstanding medical education programs to a regional medical school campus,” Dr. Paul Klotman, president, CEO and executive dean of Baylor College of Medicine said in a press release.
The Texas Bioscience Institute at Temple College promotes a skilled medical and biotechnology workforce at the high school level by offering students the opportunity to earn up to 60 college credit hours in STEM curriculum, and even earn an associate degree by their high school graduation.
Get in touch or visit our Key Industry page to get more information.