EAST TEXAS CENTER FOR RURAL GERIATRIC STUDIES.

(a) In this section:

(1) "Board" means the board of regents of The University of Texas System.

(2) "Center" means the East Texas Center for Rural Geriatric Studies.

(b) The board may establish the East Texas Center for Rural Geriatric Studies at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler for purposes of:

(1) researching issues in geriatrics, gerontology, and long-term care for the elderly, with an emphasis on the elderly living in rural and nonmetropolitan areas; and

(2) providing related resources in East Texas and other rural areas in this state for training and research for:

(A) professionals in medicine, including psychiatry, and in nursing, pharmacy, and allied health fields who provide health care to the elderly;

(B) caregivers and advocates for the elderly; and

(C) individuals employed by agencies that provide services to the elderly.

(c) The organization, control, and oversight of the center are vested in the board.

(d) If the board establishes the center, the board shall:

(1) provide for the employment of staff and an operating budget for the center; and

(2) select a site for the center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler.

(e) The center may solicit, accept, and administer gifts and grants from any public or private source for the use and benefit of the center.

(f) Establishment of the center is subject to the availability of federal funding, gifts, grants, or other funding for that purpose.

(g) An employee of the center is an employee of The University of Texas System.

(h) The center may enter into an agreement with a public or private entity to operate or participate in the operation of the center.