Drs. Clay Johnston and Ken Shine, who both played key roles in the creation of The University of Texas Dell Medical School, were named "Austinites of the Year" on today by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce.

Both awardees will be honored at a ceremony during a chamber meeting Feb. 10.

Dr. Ken Shine Dr. Ken Shine[/caption]

Dr. Clay Johnston Dr. Clay Johnston[/caption]

Johnston serves as the first dean of Dell Medical School, a position he has held since 2014. He has overseen the school's inaugural class of students as well as the development of the school's facilities, including the new Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas, set to open in May.

Shine is a former executive vice chancellor for health affairs in the UT system and works as a professor of medicine at Dell Medical School. He also serves as a special advisor to the new medical school at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

In its announcement of the awards, the Austin Chamber noted it was among the first organizations to call for the creation of Dell Medical School through its Opportunity Austin initiative in 2004.

“The Dell Medical School, Seton teaching hospital and related innovation district not only drive new health care delivery models to support the physical health of our local community, but they position Austin around the world as a burgeoning economic hotbed of medical technology and innovation,” said Tony Budet, chamber chairperson, in a news release.

The chamber considers its "Austinite of the Year" award to be its highest honor and has given the award annually since 1984. Recent honorees include Alan Graham, CEO of Mobile Loaves and Fishes, and former Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell.