Founded in 1943, UT Southwestern Medical Center has had four Nobel Prizes awarded to its faculty since 1985. In the 2010-2011 edition of U.S. News & World Report's Americas Best Hospitals, UT Southwestern is nationally ranked in six specialty-care areas: urology, diabetes/endocrinology, gynecology, kidney disorders, neurology and neurosurgery, and ear, nose and throat. The medical center is also among the nation's best performers in biology and biochemistry research in achieving clinical breakthroughs.

The joint agreement calls for UT Southwestern and Rabin to collaborate on:

Joint research conferences and symposia;Reciprocal exchange of students, post-graduate trainees or faculty in the areas of medicine, nursing, collaborative research projects, exchange of publications, reports or other academic information;Exchange of cooperation regarding the organization, delivery and management of health care services; andProfessional development.

This is the first agreement between UT Southwestern and Rabin Medical Center, and it is extensive in that it covers aspects ranging from joint development of intellectual property, joint publication of research and special assistance for participating students, researchers and faculty in securing required visas, work permits and housing in both countries.

The new program takes effect Dec. 15, 2010, and continues through Dec. 15, 2015, and annually thereafter if both institutions choose not to opt out of the agreement.

SOURCE UT Southwestern Medical Center