CULTIVATING TALENT

Philanthropic Dream Fuels Career Advancement At Houston Methodist Clear Lake

Monica Millican first glimpsed the collective benefit of generosity as a child visiting Hermann Park’s green expanses. “After learning that a donor gave that wonderful park to Houston, I felt determined to become a philanthropist,” she recalls. “It truly became a lifelong goal.”

Today, native Houstonians Monica and husband Larry Millican know well the joy of generous giving to change lives. Their gift to create the Monica and Larry Millican Education Endowment to support entry- and mid-level employees seeking to advance their careers at Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital is one example.

With the intent of helping to retain health care talent and keeping employees from feeling stagnant in their professional roles, the endowment will cover education costs including scholarships, tuition, and book and lab fees. In addition, internal career planning will pair with initiatives targeting high school students in programs that foster community connection and help cultivate a talent pool for careers in health care.

“College isn’t for everyone — it wasn’t for us,” Monica says. “But if an employee can earn accreditations to move into health care or a more advanced position at Houston Methodist, we’d like this gift to help them do that.”

The Millicans both began working in their teens, building successful careers in real estate, the mortgage industry and property management. Given her longstanding dream of helping the community at large, it was only natural that Monica found herself involved in several local nonprofit organizations. At Houston Methodist Clear Lake (and a community hospital that preceded it), she served on the ethics committee and governing board, chairing the latter. Passionate about health care and effecting change, Monica gave of her time and talent in nearly 20 years of service to the institution.

“I’m guided by the Margaret Mead quote ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world,’ ” notes Monica.“Truly, never doubt the impact you can have on others’ lives.”