GALVESTON, Texas -- Dozens of University of Texas Medical Branch students went to Austin Tuesday to push state legislators for more funding, KPRC Local 2 reported.

The school and hospital sustained millions of dollars in damage during Hurricane Ike.

"We want legislators to know that we want to keep it here on the Island," student Mike Leasure said. "We are depending on the legislature now to pull through on funding."

Students said they were optimistic that the trip will be a successful mission.

"From what we've heard, they're on our side for the most part," student Samantha Dellefed said. "We feel like we have a good head start that faculty members and alumni have made for us. We don't feel like we'll have to be doing a lot of persuasion."

UTMB laid off thousand of employees shortly after Hurricane Ike. Since the beginning of March, more than 400 employees have been hired as the hospital gears up to open more beds and operating rooms.