NEWS & UPDATES

Robbins Rising Star Award To Recognize Top Researchers

Dr. Richard J. Robbins and wife Anne have generously funded the Anne and Richard J. Robbins, MD Rising Star Award Endowment in the Department of Medicine. Dr. Robbins retired in 2023 after serving as longtime chair of the Houston Methodist Department of Medicine, where he held the Charles and Anne Duncan Presidential Distinguished Chair in Medicine.

The endowment will provide one or more awards annually to young faculty or fellows who show particular promise in translational research through development of innovative therapies that offer potential for improved patient outcomes. Each awardee will receive vital funds to support research and related activities.

Grant Supports Compassionate Transplant Assistance

The Houston Methodist J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center, one of the most comprehensive transplant centers in the nation, marked its 10,000th organ transplant in 2023.

A recent gift from the JLH Foundation augments the John L. Hern Fund for Transplant Patients and Their Families, which was established by the foundation in January 2005 to help ease the financial burden of transplant patients and families who visit the center. Created to honor and continue the legacy of the late John L. Hern, himself a heart transplant recipient, the fund offsets the costs of travel, parking, lodging, meals, and essential medications and supplies for patients awaiting and recovering from solid organ transplantation. John’s daughter, Paula Hern, says, “I’m so proud we’ve been able to accomplish what we set out to do — to fulfill my father’s wish.”

Norton Estate Gift To Enhance Discovery In Dual Specialties

For families grateful for care received at Houston Methodist — and passionate about making a difference in the lives of future patients — bequests allow for a legacy focused on preferred areas of research, education, training and the patient experience.

A gift from the Estate of Mr. James E. Norton will benefit scholarly activities in two areas of research at Houston Methodist through the Sylvia and James E. Norton

Distinguished New Century Chair in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the Sylvia and James E. Norton Distinguished New Century Chair in Otolaryngology. The endowed positions will support leading-edge medical discovery and education through the recruitment and retention of prominent physician-scientists who, in turn, will teach and train future leaders in their respective fields.

Neals Bolster Education Resources At Houston Methodist Sugar Land

Longtime supporters Mindy L. and Murray L. Neal recently established the Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Educational Excellence Endowment, which will support the highestpriority educational and training needs as determined by the president and CEO of Houston Methodist Sugar Land.

In recognition of the impact of the Neals’ cumulative philanthropic support to Houston Methodist, the Brazos Conference Center at the hospital has been renamed the Mindy and Murray Neal Conference Center.