Ramirez Library Now Part of the UTRGV

The UT Health Science Center’s Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC) in Harlingen became part of the new University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) effective September 1, 2015. Along with other RAHC related services, the Mario E. Ramirez, M.D. Library became part of the UTRGV library system on September 1. The Ramirez Library will serve the UTRGV’s School of Medicine including its faculty, students, residents, staff and researchers. The Ramirez Library will also continue to serve UT Health Science Center faculty, students, and residents who are assigned to locations in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

The medical library at the RAHC was established in 2002 and quickly became a popular place for students to study and use both print and electronic materials. In 2007, the Ramirez Library was named after Dr. Mario E. Ramirez a well-known physician in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and former University of Texas Regent who also served as Vice-President for South Texas Programs at the UT Health Science Center from 1995 to 2007.

Greysi Reyna, Assistant Director for the Ramirez Library, was one of the RAHC’s first librarians. Until her retirement in 2013, Greysi was instrumental in developing the Ramirez Library’s service programs, particularly outreach to the local community. Kathy Carter succeeded Greysi as Assistant Library Director in 2013 and has been appointed as the UTRGV Library’s Associate Director for the School of Medicine. Kathy is looking forward to serving as the inaugural librarian for the new medical school.

A library with a primarily digital collection is being constructed as part of the School of Medicine Education Building on the UTRGV Edinburg campus. When fully staffed, the UTRGV School of Medicine will have librarians and staff at both Harlingen and Edinburg locations.

Perhaps the words of a UT Health Science Center medical student best express the sentiments of those who have benefited from the services of the Ramirez librarians and staff: “I was one of the full-time RAHC MS3’s last year. I used the library a ton and I really appreciated the awesome services y’all provided!  … I absolutely loved my time at the RAHC (and the RAHC library staff) and look forward to being back.

The UTRGV School of Medicine Library can be reached by phone at (956) 296-1500 and by email to somlibrary@utrgv.edu.

Article Categories: News from the Libraries