Dear Colleagues of the U. T. System Community,

When I began my journey as chancellor of The University of Texas System in February 2009, I knew the day would come when I would return to pediatric transplant surgery. Having spent the past 14 years in administration for the U. T. System, first as president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSC-SA) and now as chancellor, the time has come for me to return to my lifelong love and passion for the care and treatment of patients full time.

I have accepted a position at UTHSC-SA as head of Pediatric Transplant Surgery. This position, offered to me in late 2013, presents an opportunity for me to do what I trained so many years to do, and I view it as an important calling at an ideal time. Thanks to your extraordinary work, U. T. institutions continue to excel in great teaching, new discoveries, and much more. One of my most cherished experiences has been the opportunity to spend considerable time on campuses meeting with faculty and students.

I learned more from you in these visits than I could have from any other source.

My decision was not made lightly, but I was comforted by two factors, both tied to family. My new position will allow me to remain in the U. T. family, an environment to which I am dedicated and committed. Additionally, I will be able to convey gratitude and respect to my parents for the sacrifices they made for my siblings and me to spend considerable years in school to train as physicians. My father continues to practice medicine daily at age 89, and three of my brothers are physicians. It is time to honor what my parents did for me by returning to my father’s and my first love, the practice of medicine.

Chairman Foster has advised me that the Board of Regents will begin a search for a new chancellor in the coming weeks, and until my successor is named, I will continue to serve to the best of my abilities.

Thank you for your support and friendship and for all you do every day to make the U. T. System one of America’s finest systems of higher education.

With greatest respect,

Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D.