The Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (Burrell College) today announced that The Rise Fund, TPG’s multi-sector global impact investing strategy with deep experience in higher education and the healthcare industry, has become a minority investor in the College.
Rice Management Company, which manages the endowment for Rice University, will continue to be the single largest investor in the College. The investment has been reviewed and unanimously approved by the College’s Board of Trustees, of which the majority of voting members are independent, non-shareholders.
“Given The Rise Fund’s track record of improving access and outcomes in the healthcare industry and its strong strategic commitment to the education field, we believe their investment will strengthen our College’s overall mission and in particular, our graduate medical education and clinical network development,” said John L. Hummer, co-founder & president of the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine.
“We are delighted to further the Burrell College’s mission to both expand access to high-quality, accredited medical education and create a robust pipeline of well-trained healthcare professionals to reach underserved communities across the United States,” said John Rogers, Partner and Education Sector Lead for The Rise Funds.
In conjunction with this announcement, Nick Turkal, MD, has been named to the Burrell College Board of Trustees representing The Rise Fund. Dr. Turkal brings more than two decades of experience in medical education, previously serving as President and CEO of Advocate Aurora Health Care. He has also served as Associate Dean of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and on the Board of Trustees of Creighton University. Dr. Turkal added, “Even in these earliest graduating classes, students from Burrell College are not only excelling academically, but more than two-thirds go into primary care fields and more than one-third practice medicine in underserved areas following graduation – filling urgent needs in local communities.”
The Rise Fund will appoint two additional members to the College’s 13-member board of trustees. The investment will not result in any changes to the academic programs, operations, or leadership of the College.
In addition to The Rise Fund, two more board members have been appointed to represent Rice Management Company, Ceci Arreola, MBA, and New Mexico State University, Monica Torres, Ph.D.
Ceci Arreola, MBA, is the head of Rice Management Company’s Portfolio and Asset Management. Ceci received her M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in honors sociology, cum laude from Rice University. She is an active member of the Urban Land Institute and serves as the Vice Chair for its Women’s Leadership Initiative in Houston. Ceci brings a deep understanding and representation of the Burrell College’s mission as she was raised in El Paso, TX.
Monica Torres, Ph.D. is the 10th president of the New Mexico State University System’s Dona Ana Community College (DACC). Dr. Torres earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English from New Mexico State University before attaining her Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of New Mexico. Monica has worked in higher education for nearly 40 years, beginning her career in 1982 as a composition instructor. Since then, she has been a faculty member and academic administrator at four universities and three community colleges in New Mexico, Minnesota, and Illinois. Torres has long been a student of race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic dynamics in the United States. For more than two decades, she has been a conference presenter, panel discussant, seminar and workshop facilitator, and mentor for programs addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in higher education. Torres has engaged in community service throughout her career. That work has included serving on the founding boards of the Mesilla Valley Film Society, La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services, and Ngage New Mexico. Torres currently serves on the boards of the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance, and the Bridge of Southern New Mexico.
The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) reviewed and approved the proposed adjustment in ownership at its August 26-27, 2021, meeting.
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The Rise Funds are a core pillar of TPG Rise, TPG’s global impact investing platform. Founded in 2016 by TPG in partnership with Bono and Jeff Skoll, The Rise Funds invest behind impact entrepreneurs and growth-stage, high potential, mission-driven companies that are focused on achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The Rise Funds deliver capabilities and expertise across a wide variety of sectors and countries at scale, focusing on opportunities in climate and conservation, education, food and agriculture, financial technology, healthcare, and technology.About The Rise Funds
With more than $13 billion in assets across The Rise Funds, TPG Rise Climate, and Evercare Health Fund, the TPG Rise platform is the world’s largest private markets impact investing platform committed to achieving measurable, positive social and environmental outcomes alongside competitive financial returns.
For more information, visit therisefund.com or @therisefund on Instagram.
About the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine was established in 2013 to improve the health of the Southwestern U.S. and its border with Northern Mexico. The College is focused on increasing diversity in the physician workforce and fostering a practice of life-long learning, compassion, respect, and excellence in its students. The four-year, private osteopathic medical school is student-centered, utilizing the latest medical education technologies and methods to ensure student success in all fields of medicine — from primary care to subspecialties like surgery, anesthesiology, and emergency medicine. Burrell College is a freestanding college located on the New Mexico State University campus.
For more information, visit burrell.edu or @burrellcollege on Instagram.
