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Kirk Calhoun has been named the sole finalist for the presidency of the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, following a unanimous vote by the UNT System Board of Regents, the institution announced in a press release.
Calhoun, who stepped in as interim president in January, brings more than 30 years of experience in academic medicine, clinical practice, and university leadership. He previously served as president of the University of Texas at Tyler before retiring in May 2024. He will formally succeed Sylvia Trent-Adams, who stepped down at the first of the year.
Also, Warren von Eschenbach has been named the sole finalist for the presidency of UNT Dallas.
Calhoun’s career has spanned large-scale healthcare enterprises — including hospitals, academic practices, and critical services like emergency transport and home health. In 2021, he was inducted into the prestigious Doctor Luke Society, recognizing his impact on healthcare, education, and community service.
“We are pleased to have selected two exceptional sole finalists for UNT Dallas and UNT Health Science Center,” said Laura Wright, chair of the UNT System Board of Regents. “Both have provided sturdy leadership as interim presidents, demonstrating a deep commitment to student success and a clear vision for the future.”
Calhoun earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Northwestern University, followed by a fellowship in clinical nephrology, hypertension, and metabolism at the University of Chicago.
He later held clinical and academic leadership roles at the University of Missouri–Kansas City before spending a decade at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, where he served as associate professor of medicine and corporate medical director of UTMB HealthCare Systems.
He later held dual roles as senior vice president at Parkland Hospital and associate dean for clinical affairs at UT Southwestern Medical School.
