HMH Foundation Annual Report 2022

HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

PHILANTHROPY ACCELERATES NEURAL ADVANCES

LOOKING UP

In spite of COVID-19 still being a part of our lives, things are definitely looking up.

I’ve said throughout this past year that COVID-19 would not define us but that we would expect and plan for it to be around for the foreseeable future. That’s exactly what happened in 2022, but its nagging presence did not deter our progress or you from generously ensuring, through your leadership and philanthropic support, that Houston Methodist will continue to lead medicine.

As you will read in the pages ahead, we are incredibly grateful to all those philanthropic leaders who continue to power our success whether in cutting-edge research disciplines like neuroprosthetics and imaging or through wideranging medical education and training opportunities. You will meet some amazing and inspiring benefactors, and my hope is that their stories will give you another perspective on what Houston Methodist can achieve when we all work toward a common goal.

The patient continues to be at the center of everything we do. Houston Methodist

was named by U.S. News & World Report as an Honor Roll hospital for the fourth consecutive year (No. 15 in the nation) and as No. 1 in Texas for the 11th straight year. All seven Houston Methodist acute care hospitals earned Magnet recognition (for nursing excellence) and straight As from Leapfrog (which measures safety). Newsweek also named us among the Top 10 smart hospitals in the world.

Thanks to you, Houston Methodist can attract and retain the most talented physicians, physician-scientists and scientists. Your generous gifts have made possible 12 new endowed chairs in 2022, bringing our cumulative total to 132 endowed positions. You have invested in the next generation of doctors by supporting fellowships and trainees. You have helped create holistic care programs that benefit patients as well as their families and caregivers. You have enabled us to integrate spirituality and the arts into the healing process.

And you have generously given to spur innovations in health care that are groundbreaking now but may seem routine this time next year — that’s how quickly the landscape is changing. This publication tells how we arrived at where we are today. As we move through 2023 and beyond, we will continue to focus obsessively on our patients. That is not only our sacred duty but also our promise: You can count on Houston Methodist whenever you need us.

MARC L. BOOM, MD PRESIDENT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER HOUSTON METHODIST

ACCELERATOR FOR >> DISCOVERY

HARRISON GIFT EMPOWERS NEUROPROSTHETICS CENTER TO REVOLUTIONIZE TREATMENTS FOR NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

It can happen in a split second. A person suffers a stroke and loses movement on one side of the body. Another becomes paralyzed after a car accident. Their lives are permanently altered. Reversing the devastation caused by a neurological condition or a spinal cord injury has long eluded the medical community — until now.

Houston Methodist has partnered with Rice University to launch the Center for Translational Neural Prosthetics and Interfaces, a future epicenter for restorative medicine. At the center — and at its offshoot lab within Houston Methodist — neurosurgeons, neuroengineers and neurobiologists will collaborate to develop new technologies or refine existing applications that send signals to the brain to awaken activity. They aim to harness these innovations to one day restore function, movement, cognition and/or memory in patients who experience various neurological disorders.

“This center will be a human laboratory where all of us can work together to solve biomedical problems in the brain and spinal cord,” says center co-director Dr. Gavin W. Britz, the Candy and Tom Knudson Distinguished Centennial Chair in Neurosurgery and chair of the Houston Methodist Department of Neurosurgery. “It is a collaboration that can finally offer some hope and options for the millions of people worldwide who suffer from brain diseases and injuries.”

DR. DIMITRY G. SAYENKO USES NEUROPROSTHETIC DEVICES AND MRIs IN HIS RESEARCH TO RESTORE LIMB MOVEMENT

The center’s experts will work in an emerging field: neuroprosthetics. Philip Horner, PhD, scientific director of the Houston Methodist Center for Neuroregeneration, defines neuroprosthetics as a discipline that merges “hardware with wetware.” He explains that surgeons incorporate the hardware — robotics, computers and technology — into the wetware — the human brain or spinal cord. Simply put, neuroprosthetics connect the brain to a device to replace missing biological function.

Dr. Britz says this work can’t come soon enough. “We’re ready to move beyond just taking out brain tumors. We want to begin replacing

“WE RESTORE, REBUILD AND MAKE WHOLE THOSE PARTS WHICH NATURE HATH GIVEN, BUT WHICH FORTUNE HAS TAKEN AWAY.”

— GASPARE TAGLIACOZZI, 1545–1599

or augmenting parts of the brain to repair or optimize human beings,” says Dr. Britz. “This center will be an accelerator for discovery.”

Its potential for revolutionizing neurological treatments has already attracted benefactors, one of whom is Rosemary Harrison. Even as an art history major, Rosemary loved medicine. “My father was a dentist and raised us in a science-minded home,” she says. “So I have always had an interest in those subjects.”

Rosemary, who also desired to honor her late husband, Dan, made a philanthropic commitment to establish the Rosemary and Daniel J. Harrison III Presidential Distinguished Chair in

THROUGH NEUROSTIMULATION OF THE SPINE, DR. DIMITRY G. SAYENKO, POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW JEONGHOON OH AND PHYSICAL THERAPIST CATHERINE MARTIN CAN HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE PARALYZED FROM AN ACCIDENT OR STROKE REGAIN THE ABILITY TO STAND

Neuroprosthetics within the Houston Methodist Neurological Institute. The chair will support a superstar in the field who will develop novel neuroprosthetics and test their effectiveness.

“Dan loved to help others — from being there for a friend in need to supporting institutions that propel Houston forward, like Houston Methodist,” Rosemary says. “As a family, we have always believed in lending a helping hand.”

The gift also creates the Rosemary and Daniel J. Harrison III Research Fund in Neuroprosthetics, which will support the research endeavors of the future chairholder. To top it off, an anonymous donor elevated the philanthropic impact of Rosemary’s gift by making a lead commitment toward many promising ideas in neuroprosthetics.

Together, these gifts allow research teams at the center to work toward moving neurosurgery away from its history of cutting disease out of the brain and toward a future in which implanted technology restores movement, function and memory.

One such example involves the merging of two technologies to restore hand function following a spinal cord injury or stroke. This project is a collaboration between Houston Methodist’s Dr. Dimitry G. Sayenko, the Paula and Joseph C. “Rusty” Walter III Associate Professor in Neuromodulation, and Rice University’s Marcia O’Malley, PhD, associate dean for research

and innovation at the George R. Brown School of Engineering. The team will pair the upper limb exoskeleton invented by O’Malley with Dr. Sayenko’s noninvasive stimulator designed to wake up the spinal cord. Together, they hope these technologies will help patients achieve a more extensive recovery at a faster pace.

It was projects like this one that sparked Rosemary’s interest. “We made this gift because we believe in research — research that translates into helping people,” says Rosemary. “If we don’t have the people needed to conduct the research, then we won’t have the advancements that make it to the bedside.”

DR. SAYENKO AND HIS TEAM EMPLOY AN E KSO GT ROBOTIC EXOSKELETON AND NONINVASIVE STIMULATION TO ASSIST PEOPLE WITH PARALYSIS TO STAND AND WALK

HARD HAT AREA: CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY

The Center for Translational Neural Prosthetics and Interfaces will soon occupy a physical space of more than 25,000 square feet inside Rice University’s BioScience Research Collaborative and an extensive build-out currently underway at the Houston Methodist Outpatient Center.

UP TO THE CHALLENGE

It’s a not-so-secret recipe — offer fundraising challenges and matching gift opportunities to inspire generous giving. In turn, those gifts will help fund scientific discoveries as well as attract and retain brilliant scientific minds. All this enables transformational changes in health care and the patient experience.

This is the recipe that prompted an anonymous philanthropic commitment to Houston Methodist in 2022 — $ 50 million toward creating an exceptional array of matching opportunities designed to stretch across the hospital system. The gift creates two new fundraising challenges.

The Unparalleled Potential Challenge will result in at least 40 new endowed positions intended to attract and retain the best and brightest early- and midcareer faculty — the rising stars in their fields.

Construction is set for completion in 2023

The Houston Methodist facility will include operating rooms and a human laboratory where teams will perform ongoing patient/volunteer diagnosis and assessment as well as map out device fabrication and testing.

The Inspire Fund Challenge will create 20 new endowments for both chairs and research funds to build strength and resources for growing departments and priority areas. Additional funds from the gift will support neuroprosthetics and neuromodulation within the Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, as well as the Joint Preservation & Outcomes Laboratory and the Center for Musculoskeletal Regeneration within Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.

This second-largest single gift in Houston Methodist’s history has already inspired benef actors such as Rosemary Harrison to add their philanthropic support. With many more matching opportunities available in 2023 and beyond, the potential for leading medicine is limitless.

RESEARCH TRANSLATIONAL

SEARCHING FOR SOLUTIONS

Type “medical research” into a Google image search, and you will find pictures of scientists in white coats peering into microscopes or staring at beakers. However, those images do not offer the full perspective. Research at Houston Methodist is translational, equaling a living enterprise that moves throughout the hospital system to accelerate discovery. It brings the most promising therapies and treatments of tomorrow to patients today.

HOW DOES RESEARCH DRIVE HOUSTON METHODIST’S MODEL?

Research defines who we are. If Houston Methodist didn’t have research, it would not be Houston Methodist. Since the hospital’s early days, when Dr. Michael DeBakey pioneered breakthroughs in surgery and cardiology, our experts have been creating new knowledge and applying it directly to patient care and human health.

In the modern world, an institution can become either

a knowledge maker or a knowledge taker. You can create new knowledge and apply it, or you can obtain it secondhand. Here at Houston Methodist, research is a process, a mindset and an approach. It is about people who not only work in a lab but also protect patients’ health and welfare. It is about constantly re-evaluating what you do with a critical eye and never being satisfied that you know all you need to know.

HOW DO YOU CONNECT RESEARCH TO PATIENT CARE?

Many leaders whose hospitals perform well in the clinical care setting are content to keep doing what everyone else does, and they’re usually good at it. However, because our medical knowledge is far from perfect, they will repeatedly make the same mistakes.

DR. H. DIRK SOSTMAN President, Houston Methodist Academic Institute Ernest Cockrell, Jr. Presidential Distinguished Chair at Houston Methodist

TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH

The truth is that if you’re not conducting research, you will not move forward with discovery. If you’re not moving forward with discovery, you’re being complacent. When research is alive within a health system, it creates a self-fulfilling expectation of medical progress.

Dr. Marc L. Boom, Houston Methodist’s CEO and president, speaks of an OR vs. AND concept. At Houston Methodist, we don’t have one or the other. We conduct top-tier research AND provide unparalleled patient care AND train next-generation superstars — so that families can stay together, celebrate holidays and milestones with one another, and not be robbed of precious time and love. That is my personal goal. We cannot preserve lives at this level without research; it’s very much an AND concept.

WHY IS PHILANTHROPY CRITICAL TO MOVING RESEARCH FORWARD?

Philanthropy fuels the engine of research innovation. Our academic medical system runs on a virtuous cycle. If you do a great job of providing highquality patient care, then you

may have some money left over to reinvest in new technologies, people and research. In turn, those investments will enable you to provide more effective clinical care and treatments tomorrow than are offered today. Philanthropy heightens all those possibilities. It quickens that cycle into one that will repeat and improve with time. That repeating cycle allows our hospital to be a successful, self-sustaining enterprise. When someone makes a gift, we do not direct it toward fixing a building or buying a piece of equipment that we could secure on our own. Those aspects are a given at Houston Methodist. Philanthropy from our community focuses on advances in research, education and patient care. It’s a win for everyone.

MOVING THE NEEDLE:

CELL THERAPY PUSHES MEDICINE INTO THE NEXT FRONTIER

Moving new drugs from the lab to the patient’s bedside can require billions of dollars and take decades. The Ann Kimball and John W. Johnson Center for Cellular

Therapeutics at Houston Methodist, which opened in May 2022, eases the costly, time-consuming and logistically complex clinical translation of cell therapies.

Cell therapy uses cells from patients’ bodies to combat their conditions and holds promise for diseases ranging from cancer to ALS to arthritis. “What can cells do when they are given back to a patient as therapy?” asks Dr. Stanley H. Appel, the Peggy and Gary Edwards Distinguished Chair in ALS Research and director of the Johnson Center. “Number one, they can repair. Number two, they can regenerate. Number three, they can form new tissues.”

Translational research to develop these therapies occurs across Houston Methodist. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of these “living drugs” in people, Dr. Appel notes that a researcher must grow the cells and expand them in a sterile facility. “That process keeps things safe for patients and provides data necessary for further approval,” says Dr. Appel. “That is what we have in the Johnson Center.”

Without the Johnson Center, promising therapies might stall before being tested in patients. “Thanks to Ann and Johnny and gifts from 72 other benefactors, as well as Houston Methodist’s investment, we have a sterile facility and the funds to enable scientists to bring their treatments to fruition,” says Dr. Appel. In one project, Francesca Taraballi, PhD, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery, is expanding mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow and fat for a clinical trial to investigate the ideal cell type for joint repair. Whether validating the utility of stem cells for osteoarthritis in a gold-standard clinical trial or manufacturing lymphocytes to slow ALS progression, the Johnson Center serves a vital purpose. “It ensures that all the novel therapies developed align with Houston Methodist priorities,” says Dr. Appel.

The Johnson Center will benefit medical research throughout Houston Methodist’s six centers of excellence:

Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center

DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center

J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center

Lynda K. and David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Disorders

Neurological Institute

Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Scan to view a listing of the 73 generous benefactors who have given to the Johnson Center

TAKING A SWING AT ALS

BILL SUMNER AIMS TO FIND CURE FOR NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE

Bill and Sharon Sumner loved the outdoors. They enjoyed sports, such as golf and tennis. They traveled the world together. They did what few couples have done: fished catch-and-release for the Mongolian taimen in support of conservation efforts. But in 2012, their lives changed forever.

After 10 months of mysterious symptoms and unanswered questions, Sharon was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the Houston Methodist Neurological Institute. Upon voraciously reading about ALS, Bill learned the average lifespan after diagnosis was 30 months.

Neurologist Dr. Ericka P. Greene, who treated Sharon and today holds The Sumner Family Distinguished Chair in Neuromuscular Research, disagreed. “Don’t pay attention to that,” she told them. “We are going to fight with all we have.” Sharon battled the disease for five years before passing away. Ever since her diagnosis, Bill has been determined to help find a cure for this debilitating, fatal disease. In 2022, he made a gift to Houston Methodist to establish the chair now held by Dr. Greene.

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the nerves of the brain and spinal cord, particularly the neurons that control movement. The disease is devastating because people with ALS can often still perform higher mental processes, like remembering and understanding. They are aware of their loss of motor function, becoming trapped inside their own bodies.

Over time, favorite activities and sports are not feasible. Eventually, walking, speaking and eating become difficult and then impossible.

The physician-scientists at Houston Methodist, long led by renowned neurologist Dr. Stanley H. Appel, the Peggy and Gary Edwards Distinguished Chair in ALS Research, are developing new means to diagnose, treat and ultimately cure ALS. They are searching for

drugs to slow ALS progression, restore years to patients’ lives and reduce pain.

Dr. Appel and Dr. Jason R. Thonhoff, assistant professor of neurology, have focused their ALS research on an immune cell known as a Treg or regulatory T cell. Tregs normally help suppress excessive inflammation in the body. In certain circumstances, Tregs lose this ability, which can leave inflammation unchecked and accelerate ALS progression.

Drs. Appel and Thonhoff have developed a new approach to treat ALS patients. They collect Tregs from the patient and grow them outside the body to help the cells restore normal antiinflammatory properties. Then, they infuse the Tregs back into the patient.

The physician-scientists are now conducting a phase 2 clinical trial. Initial results from eight patients show exciting promise — the treatment slowed or halted disease progression in six patients. There also were no deleterious effects after one year with regular Treg infusions. A larger study is the next step.

“Research efforts could give a person an extra 10 to 15 years of life,” says Bill. “By then, there’s no telling — we may find a cure!”

A longtime philanthropist, Bill became knowledgeable about ALS after his late wife’s diagnosis. Research toward a cure is now a priority for him. “If you are going to give to a cause, choose one you are passionate about,” advises Bill. “Give what you can, no matter the size, because every dollar counts.”

RESEARCHERS APPRECIATE THE GENEROSITY OF BILL SUMNER, SHOWN HERE ON THE 15TH HOLE OF THE JACKRABBIT COURSE AT CHAMPIONS GOLF CLUB

HUNTING DOWN CLUES TO ALZHEIMER’S

When Myron Goforth was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease two years ago, it didn’t come as a huge surprise. Both he and his wife, Dorothy, have a family history of dementia.

“My mother had it, and I inherited it,” says Myron. “Some of our kids might inherit it too. If we can do anything to help solve this problem, it is money well spent.”

Dorothy and Myron Goforth made a gift to the Nantz National Alzheimer Center (NNAC) to help its world-renowned neurologists, physician-scientists and scientists draw closer

to their goals of preventing Alzheimer’s, slowing memory loss progression and improving patients’ quality of life.

“This is probably the most selfish gift we’ve ever given,” Dorothy says. “We gave it for our kids and our grandkids because we don’t want them to go through what we’re going through. We don’t want this disease to progress any further.”

Physician-scientists and researchers in the NNAC are vigorously seeking new treatments for the devastating illness that affects more

than 6 million Americans. The team led the way in linking excess tau protein to Alzheimer’s symptoms, identifying how toxic tau moves through the brain and showing inflammation to be greatest in areas of disease progression. Researchers continue to conduct groundbreaking studies and clinical trials, such as the Dr. Joseph C. Masdeu-led Houston Alzheimer’s Study and a study investigating the potential of extra-virgin olive oil for Alzheimer’s prevention led by Dr. Gustavo Roman.

Impressed with Myron’s care, the Goforths made their gift open-ended — meaning it will be used at the NNAC team’s discretion to advance studies and investigate the causes of Alzheimer’s. Dorothy hopes others will consider giving generously.

“Alzheimer’s is an equal opportunity disease, and it has touched a lot of people personally,” she says. “It’s a cruel disease. The more money we can direct its way, the quicker we can hope to find a cure.”

“THE MORE MONEY WE CAN DIRECT ITS WAY, THE QUICKER WE CAN HOPE TO FIND A CURE.”

DOROTHY GOFORTH

DRIVEN TO A CAUSE

LOUISIANA COUPLE FINDS PURPOSE IN NEURODEGENERATIVE RESEARCH GIFT

For Lake Charles, Louisiana, residents William “Dub” and Susan Henning, traveling 143 miles to Houston Methodist for quality health care makes sense — especially should one need to see a neurologist for a memory disorder.

“In Lake Charles, opportunities for Alzheimer’s care are limited,” says Dub. “But patients can go to Houston Methodist for the superior care they need.”

That superior care will receive a boost with the establishment of the Susan and William Henning Jr. Neurodegenerative Research Endowment. The Hennings have witnessed the suffering of family and friends affected by the disease. To recognize their impactful gift, Houston Methodist will name the lobby within the Nantz National Alzheimer Center (NNAC) in memory of Dub’s parents, Lena and Bill Henning.

The generosity behind the Hennings’ gift echoes a tradition that runs four generations deep. “My great-grandfather was a Methodist circuit rider pastor in Sulphur, Louisiana. He instilled the spirit of giving for generations to come,” says Dub.

Dub and Susan say they have hope in the work underway at the NNAC, including nine active clinical trials for Alzheimer’s that aim to change the fate of patients through early detection and preventive treatments.

This new endowment will enable teams in the NNAC to investigate promising ideas, including discovery of inflammatory biomarkers and the role of proper sleep in Alzheimer’s development.

For the Hennings, who walk by faith, optimism is in order for future treatments of Alzheimer’s and related memory disorders. “Hope for a cure is what patients need to face the best possible prognosis,” says Susan.

“If we can advance the research far enough, patients have a chance to live full, healthy lives,” adds Dub.

WITH DEEP GRATITUDE, WE RECOGNIZE WILLIAM “DUB” AND SUSAN HENNING FOR THEIR GENEROSITY

BREATHE EASIER

Joan E. Nichols, PhD, is on the cusp of creating bioengineered lungs, a revolutionary approach to organ transplantation that may produce viable new lungs from human tissues. And philanthropy makes this groundbreaking work possible.

Federal organizations like the National Institutes of Health often award funding after researchers have gathered preliminary data. Philanthropic support bridges that gap, enabling physician-scientists to develop and test ideas in early studies.

In July 2022, Nichols was appointed to the Dr. and Mrs. Alan L. Kaplan Centennial Chair in Cellular Therapeutics and Organ Bioengineering . The endowed chair gives her freedom to evaluate preclinical organ models that reduce the financial burden of drug development and increase the efficacy of therapies that make it to human trials.

“These models open the door to testing drug compounds that enhance wound healing, vascularization and even cell therapies,” she says.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 90% of drugs in phase 3 clinical trials never receive approval because they do not adequately treat the targeted disease or they carry risky side effects. To increase the number of safe and effective drugs approved for clinical trials, Nichols uses human cells to engineer 3 D models more reflective of human disease.

For instance, Nichols evaluates the toxicity and efficacy of novel drugs for SARS-CoV- 2 infection in her human lung model. She also produced a human pancreas model to support insulin-secreting islet cells, which may revolutionize the way diabetes is understood and treated.

“Why do we want a homeostatic pancreatic model?” she asks. “Many environmental factors may drive diabetes in people, but we don’t yet have a great way to assess them.”

With the generosity of visionary benefactors, Nichols and innovators like her are hastening discoveries to answer these — and so many more — critical questions.

ENDOWED POSITIONS EXPAND ON PROMISING DISCOVERIES

ALL ROADS LEAD HERE

ANNIE AND BOB GRAHAM

CONTINUE THEIR COMMITMENT TO NANTZ NATIONAL ALZHEIMER CENTER

A few weeks after making their first gift to the Nantz National Alzheimer Center at Houston Methodist, Annie and Bob Graham’s phone rang. When she heard who was on the other line to say thank you, Annie was shocked. “I asked, ‘Is this the real Jim Nantz?’ Anybody who watches sports knows who he is.”

Jim Nantz and his wife, Courtney, helped establish the Nantz National Alzheimer Center in 2011 as a tribute to Jim’s late father, who battled Alzheimer’s disease and was cared for at Houston Methodist. “The fact that Jim is willing to devote so much time and effort to the center is impressive,” says Bob.

DR. JOSEPH C. MASDEU IS LEADING RESEARCH ON BRAIN INFLAMMATION IN PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA

Inspired by the level of care, research and dedication evident at the center, the Grahams made a gift to establish an endowed chair in 2013 that Dr. Joseph C. Masdeu, the director of the center, has held since 2014. “Once you meet Dr. Masdeu, you want to be around him to learn as much as possible,” says Annie.

The Grahams have continued to support Dr. Masdeu’s work. In 2022, they made a philanthropic commitment to establish the Annie and Bob Graham Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention and Treatment Endowment and the Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention and Treatment Fund.

“With the help of the Grahams, who are so generous and committed, we are one of the leading centers in the world studying brain inflammation in people with dementia,” says Dr. Masdeu, the Graham Family Distinguished Chair for Neurological Sciences.

Dr. Masdeu notes that the center’s technological capabilities enable doctors to safely perform two scans in a single day, allowing them to characterize brain inflammation more accurately. “Most institutions can only determine how much brain inflammation is present in about 70% of patients,” Dr. Masdeu says. “Using a tracer, we found that we can successfully measure brain inflammation in everyone.”

As part of their recent commitment, the Grahams directed funds toward another aspect of Dr. Masdeu’s work, research in schizophrenia. “Beyond Alzheimer’s, the work Dr. Masdeu is doing on schizophrenia and other mental health issues is really exciting,” says Bob.

Dr. Masdeu is testing a hypothesis that a group of patients with symptoms of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder have an autoimmune disease. “We suspect that a significant number of people believed to have schizophrenia or bipolar disease actually have an immune system disorder,” he explains. “If true, those people have diseases that are completely reversible — they just need proper treatment.”

To date, Dr. Masdeu has treated a small number of patients with antibodies to combat immune disorders. “I don’t know who received the placebo, but I’ve never seen anything like these early results in my career,” says Dr. Masdeu.

With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now ranking mental illness among the most common health conditions in the country, the Grahams recognize the synergy of the moment. “This work is going to become more and more important given the growing mental health crisis,” says Bob. “Indeed, it is,” adds Annie.

“ONCE YOU MEET DR. MASDEU, YOU WANT TO BE AROUND HIM TO LEARN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.”

ANNIE GRAHAM

THE POTENTIAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE

CANCER VACCINE ENTERS PRECLINICAL TRIALS

For people to stay healthy, their immune systems must recognize and destroy cells that could become cancerous. However, when a malignant cancer evades the immune system, it can take hold and grow, marking the beginning of a difficult health journey.

A promising new therapy is on the horizon to improve patient care and health outcomes: personalized mRNA cancer vaccines. “We’re in a unique position to do something transformative for our patients,” says Dr. John P. Cooke, the Joseph C. “Rusty” Walter and Carole Walter Looke Presidential Distinguished Chair in Cardiovascular Disease Research.

With a generous gift from Denise and David Baggett and ample resources buoyed by the Ann Kimball and John W. Johnson Center for Cellular Therapeutics, Dr. Cooke has organized a multi-disciplinary research team to create a personalized vaccine that will help a patient’s immune system recognize and destroy cancer. Like COVID-19 vaccines, personalized cancer vaccines will use messenger RNA, or mRNA, to trigger an immune system response. For cancer patients, mRNA vaccines will target specific cancer cells without destroying the healthy cells.

“What scientists developed with mRNA vaccines in a relatively short period of time to fight COVID-19 was nothing short of astonishing,” says Denise. “The pandemic showed how successful these vaccines can be.”

“And with personalized vaccines for cancer, we saw the opportunity to play a small part in advancing a novel therapy to help patients,” adds David.

Every patient — and every tumor — is different. When a tumor recurs, it has evolved to survive. With cancer vaccines, scientists can personalize therapies quickly to respond to tumor evolution.

The multidisciplinary team includes Drs. Jenny C. Chang and Ming You and researchers Chih-Chi Andrew Hu, PhD, Francesca Taraballi, PhD, and Jimmy D. Gollihar, PhD. To create the

vaccine, surgeons remove the patient’s primary tumor. The team sequences the tumor to determine what genes have mutated and which mutant proteins, or cancer antigens, are expressed on the surface of the cancer cells. Knowing the proteins’ sequence will allow the team to generate mRNA code within days and a vaccine within weeks. “Speed is of the essence in cancer treatments,” says David. “These vaccines have the potential to be timely, less expensive and more effective than traditional cancer treatments.”

Once developed, the vaccine will target the tumor’s mutant proteins. Composed of mRNA that encodes these purified cancer antigens, the vaccine will induce an inflammatory response that awakens the immune system to make antibodies and generate white blood cells —

specifically T cells — to attack the cancer. After vaccination, researchers will analyze patients’ blood samples to determine the vaccine’s efficacy. In the long term, the researchers will monitor any recurrence of the primary tumor and determine if a booster shot is needed.

“We’re moving quickly to get this project going, and our team is working around the clock to develop this approach because it’s such meaningful work,” says Dr. Cooke. Preliminary studies are underway, and early data should be available in 2023.

“It takes special people like the Baggetts to give their time and to donate financially to do good for the community,” says Dr. Cooke. “Without that kind of support, it would be much harder for us to do this transformative work.”

PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE

M.D. ANDERSON FOUNDATION’S LONGTIME SUPPORT HELPS SHAPE THE IMAGE OF HOUSTON METHODIST

When Houston Methodist leaders were considering a downtown expansion in the 1940 s, the M.D. Anderson Foundation board strongly encouraged them to build instead on Fannin Street. At the time, the burgeoning Texas Medical Center that the foundation had helped establish was still in its nascent phase.

“We had come together to create a wonderful new medical complex, and we wanted excellent hospitals to plant their flags there,” says James W. “Jim” Crownover, M.D. Anderson Foundation president. “The foundation offered financial support toward the expansion to sweeten the deal.”

With that positive boost from the M.D. Anderson Foundation, Houston Methodist became one of the first hospitals in the Texas Medical Center. Its location at 6565 Fannin has served as the central hub

of the independent academic medical center since construction ended in 1951. The foundation contributed to the hospital again in 1961 to support facility expansion.

For decades, Houston Methodist and the M.D. Anderson Foundation have teamed up to build a legacy of medical innovation.

“The foundation supports excellence, and Houston Methodist consistently demonstrates that,” says Crownover. “It’s a special place with strong values, yet it remains humble about its greatness.”

Today, one of the top priorities for the foundation is attracting the best medical minds to Houston, Crownover says. This ensures extraordinary health care for the region and helps attract new businesses whose leaders appreciate the enhanced quality of life. “We understand the value that state-of-the-art facilities bring, but we have begun to more actively support intellectual leadership, research and scientific endeavors as well,” Crownover explains.

That focus led the foundation to make a philanthropic commitment to establish the M.D. Anderson Foundation Distinguished Chair in Molecular Imaging at Houston Methodist.

Dr. Diego R. Martin, chair of the Department of Radiology, currently holds that position.

The M.D. Anderson Foundation chair was instrumental in supporting his recruitment. In collaboration with Dr. Martin, a recent additional gift has been directed to create another M.D. Anderson distinguished chair to support recruitment of a brilliant scientist to work closely with Dr. Martin in molecular imaging and to take on the role as vice chair of research for the department.

“We believe in recruiting the best talent,” says Crownover. “And we know that imaging is an area of strength for Houston Methodist.”

Dr. Martin’s pioneering work in molecular imaging — a growing discipline in medicine that allows doctors to visualize, characterize and quantify biologic processes occurring at the cellular and subcellular levels — will help better inform diagnostics and treatment plans.

Although a technical field of medicine, imaging can lead to ways for physicians to one day treat conditions like cancer. That aspect appealed to the M.D. Anderson Foundation board. “As a small foundation, we prefer to concentrate our support in fields with promising advancements,” says Crownover.

Crownover notes that the M.D. Anderson Foundation has a strong commitment to medicine and health. “It’s about a third of our giving every year,” he elaborates. “We want to create a great city for the people who labor here now and for the ones yet to come our way. We want to make Houston attractive for people and for companies. Investing in health care does that.”

DR. DIEGO R. MARTIN WITH MRI PHYSICIST SHU ZHANG MEDICAL IMAGING HAS GRADUATED FROM MICROSCOPES TO THE MOST ADVANCED MRI s AND PET/CT SCANS

GUT FEELING

GIFT FOR GI RESEARCH CHAIR REFLECTS CHERRY FAMILY’S VALUES

It may not be a glamorous topic, but one does not have to look far to find headlines highlighting the mysteries of the human gut. In the past few years, the trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms residing in this bustling microbiome have caused a stir in medical science, with studies linking them to Type 2 diabetes, obesity, depression, cancer and other health conditions.

Leonard Cherry and his family had recently established the Cerise Family Foundation but had yet to make their founding gift.

As the Cherry family learned of the remarkable medical potential that research into this enigmatic realm holds, they decided that their

first act would be to establish the Cherry Family Chair in Gastroenterology Research in the Houston Methodist Lynda K. and David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Disorders. The endowed fund will provide critical support for a leading physician-scientist to conduct research in gastrointestinal (GI) disorders — looking at the impact the microbiome has on GI conditions and other chronic illnesses.

“My brothers and I were taught by our parents the importance of living our lives in the service of others,” Leonard says. “We want to continue this mandate and model the true joy of philanthropy for the younger generations of our family.” Leonard notes that five generations of his lineage have received “exceptional care” at Houston Methodist.

The rest of the Cherry family also was drawn to Houston Methodist because of the impact they believe the hospital’s research will have on the future of health care. Regina and Leonard Cherry’s daughters, Hayley Cherry Wagoner and Elaine Cherry Stark, and the extended family play a big part in making philanthropic decisions for the foundation.

When Hayley and Elaine learned of research suggesting that gut health likely dictates the health of the entire body, it were as if a light bulb went off. They felt the investment in gastroenterology research was the right one for their foundation and made the call to direct the Cerise Family Foundation gift to support this specialty area.

“So many issues can be improved if the Houston Methodist team gains a richer understanding of the gut microbiome,” Hayley says. “Our family would love to see the positive trickledown impact of this initial research on other diseases and other areas of the body,” adds Elaine. Leonard says he sees a positive benefit of this gift for his family as well. “Providing this support through our family foundation will help our children and grandchildren learn what philanthropy means,” he says. “It will help them understand the value — and the joy — of giving back to others. And because it is Houston Methodist, it will make a real difference.”

DR. EAMONN M. QUIGLEY, DIRECTOR OF THE LYNDA K. AND DAVID M. UNDERWOOD CENTER FOR DIGESTIVE DISORDERS, PICTURED WITH ROBIN HOUSTON, KELLY GOODRO AND DR. BINCY P. ABRAHAM

TRAINING & EDUCATION EXPANDING MEDICAL MINDS

Being a teaching hospital carries with it a responsibility. Houston Methodist’s top-tier faculty share their days with some of the brightest young medical minds in the country. Because of the support of forwardthinking philanthropic friends, the institution’s prestigious graduate medical education (GME) program sponsors 68 residency and fellowship programs. These pair with an academic vision that includes learners ranging from medical students to experienced health care professionals to the community at large.

WHY DOES HOUSTON METHODIST MAKE TRAINING AND EDUCATION TOP PRIORITIES?

Houston Methodist leaders have long prioritized building a wellrounded, independent academic medical program. This makes us an attractive and expansive training ground for the most talented new physicians, who often end up practicing medicine where they’re taught. For patients, it means expanded access to doctors and highly specialized

care not typically available at nonacademic medical centers. We host a robust GME program at Houston Methodist Hospital, where we train close to 380 high-achieving residents and fellows from across the country in their various specialties and subspecialties. We also will soon add new free-standing residency and fellowship programs at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital thanks to a significant gift from a generous benefactor.

We’ve partnered with Texas A&M University School of Medicine to broaden our scope to host medical students in their clinical rotations — today at both our main campus and Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Texas A&M students can also pursue an innovative MD/PhD degree under the mentorship of faculty at the Houston Methodist Academic Institute. And we partner with Weill Cornell

DR. TIMOTHY B. BOONE Chief Education Officer, Houston Methodist Academic Institute Craig C. Brown and Suzanne H. Smith Centennial Chair in Medical Education at Houston Methodist

TRAINING & EDUCATION

Medical College on an additional PhD program housed at Houston Methodist Hospital.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS THIS ACADEMIC FOCUS CHANGED THE INSTITUTION?

It brings about a huge cultural shift to commit to molding the next generation of physicians and scientists. But it’s in our DNA, and we’ve been fortunate to have the support of benefactors who have made impactful gifts to help us remain at the top of our game. This focus opens doors to novel concepts and innovation and advances scholarly activity within our faculty. It also helps us recruit and retain master clinicians interested in educating their successors.

It drives other initiatives too, like EnMed, our engineeringmedicine partnership with Texas A&M, and our launch of the Houston Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation & Education (MITIE SM) virtual hospital and other procedural skills labs, where clinicians undergo evidence-based practice in a real-world context. Likewise, we’ve formed alliances with

the University of Houston and Rice University for educational and research collaborations.

HOW HAS PHILANTHROPY DIRECTED WHAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH IN TRAINING AND EDUCATION?

Philanthropy helps us better serve the larger community by being better educators. Our education programs have grown in concert with our translational research and innovation endeavors — so new therapies that once took decades to move from concept to clinic today take mere years.

Philanthropy also makes possible our community care program, which sends residents and fellows who are training under top physicians into areas to care for patients who may otherwise not have access to exceptional health care. Together with these partners, we are improving the health and welfare of the entire region.

COURSE CORRECTION

LIFE-CHANGING SURGERY LEADS TO FELLOWSHIP

It is a parent’s worst nightmare. A healthy adult daughter unexpectedly enters an outof-state hospital with abdominal pain and emerges weeks later bearing the burden of ineffective medical care compounded by a surgical mistake.

“Kara’s life changed in an instant with devastating complications we feared might last a lifetime,” says Kathryn Hachigian, Kara Hachigian’s mother. “We were determined to find a solution.”

Persistence in overcoming challenges characterized Kara’s success as a former competitive equestrian. But nothing could have prepared her for the months of pain and delays in her care. Then, Kara met Dr. Eric M. Haas, chief of the Houston Methodist Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery.

“Dr. Haas’ expertise with robotic surgical techniques meant he was confident in providing me with corrective surgery that others wouldn’t risk,” says Kara.

Following surgery with Dr. Haas, Kara regained quality of life. To help other

patients and families, her parents, Kathryn and Kirk Hachigian, generously established the Dr. Eric Haas and Kara Hachigian Colorectal Surgery Fellowship Endowment in the Houston Methodist Department of Surgery. The endowment supports a fellow specializing in colorectal surgery.

“Our hope is that the surgeons Dr. Haas trains at Houston Methodist will become ambassadors to other hospitals, ensuring more patients will receive optimal care from the beginning,” says Kara.

Dr. Haas is grateful for the Hachigians’ support and the opportunity to train future surgeons in advanced laparoscopic, robotic and minimally invasive approaches to treating colon and rectal diseases and conditions.

“As a surgeon, it inspires me to know that I can make a difference,” says Dr. Haas. “We have the opportunity to pair the latest technologies with best practices, leading to the most promising possible outcomes for every patient.”

KARA HACHIGIAN AND HER HORSE, NICKNAMED “HOOPS”

BRINGING IT HOME

It is a familiar scene on any medical TV drama. A lead physician enters a patient’s room and asks a group of trainees — medical students, residents and sometimes fellows — to answer questions about that patient’s health status. At Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, the lead physician and medical students play the starring roles, enabling a one-on-one exchange that sharpens clinical care skills earlier in the medical students’ careers.

“By becoming a teaching hospital, we have opened the doors to new ideas and innovation,” says Keith Barber, CEO of Houston Methodist Willowbrook and senior vice president of Houston Methodist. “We are also instilling the patientcentered, service-oriented values of Houston Methodist in the next generation of health care professionals.”

The hospital began partnering with Texas A&M University School of Medicine in 2020 to offer third- and fourth-year medical students access to a diverse array of real-world clinical experiences. Third-year medical students participate in seven clinical rotations in family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, OB-GYN, surgery, psychiatry and emergency medicine. Fourthyear medical students choose their rotations.

AGGIE ALUMS SUSAN AND FRED CALDWELL DELIGHT IN SUPPORTING MEDICAL EDUCATION IN INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP

As part of their training, the medical students may also participate in research with talented clinician-scientists and researchers across Houston Methodist. They can then present their findings at various Houston Methodist and national medical conferences.

To provide the margin of excellence needed to support these aspiring medical doctors of the future, the Caldwell Family Foundation generously established the Houston Methodist Willowbrook Medical Training and Education Fund.

Susan and Fred Caldwell share a vision for developing academic medicine programs in their community. This fund offers a unique opportunity for supporters to participate in Houston Methodist Willowbrook’s growth as a premier teaching hospital for future medical students, residents and fellows — bringing some of the most promising young medical minds to the North Houston region.

“When you provide financial support

to an institution, it is really a function of trust,” explains Fred. “We truly trust in Houston Methodist, and we have great passion for Texas A&M. We love the idea that Aggie medical students can tie into the Houston Methodist culture and expertise.”

The Caldwells say they feel this is an ideal giving opportunity because it offers a chance to not only make a transformational gift but also support an academic medical center that inspires confidence and hope because of strong leadership and culture.

“It is easy to support institutions that stand for excellence, live by faith-based values and provide great leadership,” says Susan.

She explains that their gift is both an investment in the neighborhoods they call home and a perfect illustration of the mission behind their family’s foundation.

“I always think about why it is that God put us here on earth. Ultimately, it is to help people,” adds Fred.

WITH DEEP APPRECIATION TO THE CALDWELLS FOR OUTSTANDING SUPPORT

PRESS PLAY

THANKS TO THE ALLISONS, TRAINING IN CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY IS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE WITH INTERNET

In the Houston Methodist Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, history repeats itself with achievements in surgical innovations. Much like in the days of its pioneer, Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, the department today learns from a leader who is never satisfied with the status quo.

Dr. Alan B. Lumsden and his colleagues, in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of videographers, are always expanding educational opportunities for cardiovascular surgeons by harnessing technology and digital tools. One major result is Houston Methodist DeBakey CV Education, a virtual hub for cardiovascular academic and clinical educational programs. “It doesn’t really make sense to teach something as dynamic as surgery with black-andwhite writing and pictures,” says Dr. Lumsden, who holds the Walter W. Fondren III Presidential Distinguished Chair at the DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center and is also chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery. “And so, we teach it using these well-edited videos.”

The DeBakey CV Education platform allows Houston Methodist specialists to provide free education models, conference presentations and livestreaming of select DeBakey education courses to up-and-coming surgeons anywhere with access to the internet. And Dr. Lumsden and company are relying on a popular platform to reach their audience: YouTube.

With 14.2 billion visits per month — more than Facebook, Wikipedia, Amazon and Instagram — YouTube is the ideal site to reach a massive audience. “It is one of the more important vehicles to use to get our message out,” says Dr. Lumsden.

The DeBakey CV Education YouTube channel is fast approaching 14 million views, and a generous gift from Carolyn and Bob Allison has enabled Dr. Lumsden and his colleagues to expand the channel’s robust video library. Now, video production experts can record surgical procedures in four Houston Methodist operating suites, with plans to expand further.

“The training platform is designed to help not just Houston Methodist but the entire field of cardiovascular medicine,” says Bob Allison, who established with his wife, Carolyn, the Allison Family Cardiovascular Surgical Training and Advanced Technology Program.

On the YouTube channel, Dr. Lumsden notes that viewers have access to a prolific library of content. “There are more surgical and interventional procedure videos now available on our channel than anywhere else in the world,” says Dr. Lumsden. “Because we’ve had resources to build this, our YouTube videos don’t have advertisements.”

Additionally, the center hosts grand rounds, featuring lectures from experts around the world, on the YouTube channel.

The channel also has attracted some of the world’s top talent and next-generation superstars to Houston Methodist. “Almost every single applicant to our training programs in cardiology and cardiac and vascular surgery has watched our YouTube videos,” says Dr. Lumsden. “Many say that they applied here because they feel like they know us. They appreciate the quality of work that we’re doing. They want to be a part of it.”

This global reach helps bring high-quality medical training to areas that would otherwise not have access to it. “I have searched and seen other resources but always find your channel to outrank and outperform the rest,” says a viewer in South Africa.

“We are providing surgical education to underserved communities, underserved countries and the world — anywhere that’s got good internet,” says Dr. Lumsden. “That’s a beautiful thing.”

WITH SINCEREST THANKS TO GENEROUS BENEFACTORS CAROLYN AND BOB ALLISON

Scan to access Houston Methodist DeBakey CV Education videos

GOOD FELLOWS

ANONYMOUS PLANNED GIFT BRINGS SPECIALISTS IN TRAINING TO HOUSTON METHODIST THE WOODLANDS HOSPITAL

For physicians, learning and training are lifelong processes ones that follow a distinct structure years after the two-lettered credential “MD” makes its way onto a white coat. Fellowships play a crucial role in that training, enabling doctors to delve into their chosen medical subspecialties. The flagship Houston Methodist campus, located in the Texas Medical Center, houses fellows who advance their training in subspecialties ranging from advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology to neuro-ophthalmology and neurosurgery.

A $10 million transformational estate gift from an anonymous donor will support fellowship growth and impact residency at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital to meet the growing needs of the community and address the rising demand for specialty care.

“The ultimate benefit of launching educational programs on this campus is that they will expand access for patients in The Woodlands,” says Dr. Timothy B. Boone, who holds the Craig C. Brown and Suzanne H. Smith Centennial Chair in Medical Education and is chief education officer of the Houston Methodist Academic Institute. “These programs will draw a new wave of talent. In the long run, we’re hoping the best and the brightest will stay in the community to practice and take care of patients.”

This will be the first graduate medical education (GME) program offered by a Texas Medical Center institution at one of its regional hospitals. Potential training opportunities could include a core residency in internal medicine and fellowships in cardiovascular disease, orthopedic surgery, pulmonary critical care and sports medicine, among others.

“These generous donors have a passion for education, and they thoroughly love the hospital,” says Dr. Boone. “They were especially enthusiastic about supporting education in their own community.”

Houston Methodist’s GME programs currently include close to 380 residents and fellows in a variety of specialties and subspecialties. The

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provides some financial support, but it is capped at 197 spots. The hospital covers the rest of the costs, now approaching $20 million per year.

“That’s a lot of money toward the commitment the hospital has made to academics,” Dr. Boone explains. “That’s why philanthropy is critical to help defray the costs of education and training. Our growth depends on the generosity of donors so we can be better servants to our community by being better teachers.”

It will be a pivotal moment when Houston Methodist The Woodlands becomes a regional academic teaching campus. Physicians will experience a team-first approach, and they will benefit from a culture of caring — one that keeps the patient at the forefront.

“We are deeply committed to educating medical professionals of the future who will provide that next level of care and expertise for people seeking exceptional health care,” adds Debra Sukin, CEO of Houston Methodist The Woodlands and executive vice president of Houston Methodist. “We are excited to build programs of excellence for our community and to retain these young superstars who will serve generations of patients.”

DRS. ROSHNI MANDANIA, BRADEN THOMAS AND CATHERINE WIECHMANN ARE AMONG 100-PLUS FELLOWS CURRENTLY TRAINING AT HOUSTON METHODIST

“WE’RE HOPING THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST WILL STAY IN THE COMMUNITY TO PRACTICE AND TAKE CARE OF PATIENTS.”

DR. TIMOTHY B. BOONE

WATER IN THE DESERT

CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

BRINGS HOPE, RELIEF

When the Rev. Brian Gowan first encountered Hugo and Alejandra (“Alex”) Chamorro in summer 2020, it was in the intensive care unit at Houston Methodist Hospital. The husband and wife were both critically ill with COVID-19 and were put into induced comas.

The senior chaplain spent his days ministering to Alex, Hugo and the other patients in his charge. He prayed for them and spoke words of encouragement in their hushed rooms. It was a mission he undertook with a respectful, quiet resolve — to stand in for the loved ones who couldn’t be present because of mandatory visitor restrictions.

“There will always be a need to walk alongside others, especially in health care,” says the Rev. Stacy Auld, system director for Spiritual Care and Values Integration at Houston Methodist. She points out that, thanks in large part to philanthropy, the Houston Methodist Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Program has skillfully trained hospital chaplains to walk beside and offer the light of faith to patients and their families since 1967 . Through an accredited, yearlong CPE residency, trainees enter a full-time interfaith program that includes not only hospital chaplains but also church pastors, hospice workers and other spiritual care stewards. While admission simply requires an undergraduate degree and active faith affiliation, many of the 14 residents welcomed annually hold advanced degrees from some of the country’s most respected seminaries and theological institutions.

Residents perform clinical work on seven Houston Methodist campuses, where ministerial training in clinical support, theology, psychology, self-awareness and compassion meets real-life health care. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, these themes came into especially sharp relief across the health care landscape. In turn, the chaplaincy program proved that its spiritual depth was matched only by a drive for stateof-the-art practices to better reach patients and their families.

“The pandemic served as a huge catalyst for innovation in the spiritual care world,” explains the Rev. Auld. “Suddenly, the question was, ‘How do we modernize to connect patients with loved ones who can’t be with them in person? How do we expand care across Houston Methodist?’”

“THE PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY HAS LEFT AN INDELIBLE MARK ON OUR SPIRITUAL CARE PROGRAMS AND TRAINING AT HOUSTON METHODIST. ITS IMPACT IN ALLOWING US TO OFFER HOPE AND COMFORT

TO OUR PATIENTS OVER THE YEARS IS TRULY IMMEASURABLE.”

THE REV. DR. CHARLES R. MILLIKAN, DM IN DR. RONNY W. AND RUTH ANN BARNER CENTENNIAL CHAIR IN SPIRITUAL CARE

The result was twofold. First, a flood of technology-based connectivity entered the scene. While virtual ICU and telemedicine became household words, Houston Methodist chaplains adapted quickly to offer telechaplaincy services, allowing them to minister virtually to patients when necessary and connect them remotely to family members. A customized spiritual care app rolled out on in-room patient iPads, including a library of chaplains’ reflections and more than 20 supportive interfaith videos created by local faith leaders.

Second, the thinly stretched spiritual care team recognized a need to grow and strengthen its volunteer program to ensure first-rate training and adaptability across the Houston Methodist system. The team brainstormed and laid out a plan, but it would require substantial funding to reach its potential.

As if in answer to prayers, longtime Houston Methodist benefactors Jim and Carole Walter Looke made a transformative 2022 gift to Houston Methodist, a portion of which served to establish the C. James and Carole Walter Looke Volunteer Chaplaincy Training and Education Program. The endowed gift will bolster community partnerships with local churches and religious organizations for the purpose of recruiting, training and managing spiritual care volunteers to serve across the Houston Methodist system. It will also support related education activities.

“The level of commitment and care that Houston Methodist chaplains and other spiritual care staff showed during the worst of the pandemic touched us deeply,” says Carole. “So many Houstonians faced unprecedented medical challenges of their own and in their loved ones’ lives; to have a chaplain step in as a friend, spiritual companion and guide served as an invaluable resource.”

The spiritual care volunteer program will provide training in basic pastoral care skills specific to the hospital setting. Participation also will allow volunteers to share lessons learned with their own faith groups, workplaces and homes, enhancing the quality of care offered within their communities.

Today, as life slowly swings toward a new endemic reality for Houston Methodist staff and patients, the Rev. Gowan and Alex Chamorro continue a friendship begun at her bedside. When Alex awoke after a six-week coma, it was to the news that her husband, Hugo, had passed away from his illness.

In the days that followed, she found comfort in notes she discovered tucked into her medical record — prayers and words of reassurance from Chaplain Gowan that reflected his genuine care and faith-filled intercession on behalf of her and her late husband. “Those words will minister to me forever as a permanent reminder of God’s presence,” says Alex.

Scan to access the 2022 Houston Methodist Spiritual Care and Values Integration Annual Report

DURING

“THE LEVEL OF COMMITMENT AND CARE THAT HOUSTON METHODIST CHAPLAINS AND OTHER SPIRITUAL CARE STAFF SHOWED

THE WORST OF THE PANDEMIC TOUCHED US DEEPLY.”

CAROLE WALTER

LOOKE

H ouston Methodist Hospital Foundation

HOUSTON METHODIST IS INDEBTED TO CAROLE AND JIM LOOKE FOR THEIR PROFOUND GENEROSITY AND COMPASSION

BRILLIANCE ON THE RISE

PHILANTHROPY DRIVES DISCOVERY ON EACH STEP OF THE ACADEMIC MEDICINE CAREER LADDER

Following graduation, new physicians rise through residencies, fellowships, and then assistant, associate and full professorships as a professional pinnacle. Recognition — including financial awards, merit designations and endowed chair positions — helps recipients gain footing in advancing their own and their institution’s research, visibility and reputation. More important, physicians and physician-scientists have the protected time to discover the next medical breakthrough or develop the newest patient care improvement.

SINCERE THANKS. Houston Methodist is extremely grateful for the vital philanthropic commitments that support academic and leadership growth.

GENEROUS 2022 NEW COMMITMENTS

TO ACADEMIC FACULTY DEVELOPMENT: Anonymous (5); Cerise Family Foundation; Walter and Toni Finger; Kirk and Kathryn Hachigian; Rosemary and Daniel J. Harrison III; Candy and Tom Knudson; C. James and Carole Walter Looke; M.D. Anderson Foundation; Mrs. Shubha Mantri, Dr. Vishakh Mantri and Trisha Mantri; Barbara E. Nau; John L. Nau III; William E. Sumner, Jr.

ADD YOUR SUPPORT. Scan the QR code to learn how to make a gift that could be matched through the Unparalleled Potential and Inspire Fund Challenges (see page 9 ).

CHAIRHOLDERS. Highly coveted named endowed chairs and scholar awards enable senior leadership and faculty to move major research forward and attract outstanding faculty leaders to Houston Methodist.

ENDOWED SCHOLARS. High-performing midcareer and senior faculty as well as graduate medical education program directors especially benefit from recognition and research funding in this phase of their careers.

ACADEMIC FACULTY. Rising star midlevel clinicianscientists, clinical educators and researchers conducting clinical trials rely on philanthropic support to test the efficacy of research findings.

ACADEMIC CLINICAL FELLOWS. Support for fellows enables the hospital to increase the number of talented young subspecialists and gives them the time in the lab to launch brilliant research careers.

STUDENTS, RESIDENTS AND TRAINEES. Philanthropic support at the undergraduate, medical school or graduate medical education levels can spark student interest in a medical research role or enable a promising resident to pursue an important career in a subspecialty.

PATIENT EXPERIENCE

PUTTING THE PATIENT FIRST

Providing patients with the best possible care motivates every aspect of research, education and innovation — Houston Methodist’s raison d’être. Fueled by a community of philanthropic support, Houston Methodist stands in the Top 10 of the World’s Best Smart Hospitals as ranked by Newsweek — with pioneering technologies improving the patient experience and shaping the future of health care in Houston and beyond.

HOW IS INNOVATION AT HOUSTON METHODIST IMPROVING PATIENTS’ LIVES?

Our goal is to achieve unparalleled safety, service and excellence in everything that we do. If you step back and think about patients, they want to get information when they want it and how they want it. For example, we are making the administrative work of being a patient multimodal. Filling in forms, making payments and contacting your doctor — all these are available by text, phone, email or MyChart. We are working to make these processes seamless.

In the outpatient environment, you may have a virtual appointment or a same-day appoint ment in person at the urgent care center. In the emergency department, you may see a physician in the office or by virtual visit. We are blending the in-person with the virtual to create a holistic system. Innovation is the way forward to achieve the vision that we want for our patients.

HOW IS TECHNOLOGY CHANGING THE TYPICAL HOSPITAL STAY?

In terms of the work that we are doing on care design in the inpatient environment, we are ahead of the country. Now, patients are being awakened in the middle of the night; soon, we will be monitoring vital signs using biosensing buttons so they can sleep uninterrupted.

ROBERTA L. SCHWARTZ, P H D Executive Vice President Chief Innovation Officer Houston Methodist

PATIENT EXPERIENCE

HOW DOES PHILANTHROPY HELP BRING BIG DATA AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO THE PATIENT CARE ARENA?

With the amount of new data being generated and the centralization of that data, our doctors are beginning to use predictive analytics to do a better job of treating patients. Philanthropy has already played a huge role, for instance, in advancing cardiovascular surgery.

Through predictive analytics, our cardiovascular surgeons found a cohort of patients who need a different follow-up cadence than the standard seven days. By comparing our historical data to years of Medicare data, we identified a small subset of patients who should be seen 24 hours after surgery. The difference for these patients is life or death. You could say some outcomes that we’re finding from digital innovations are equal to a new medicine.

While some of these innovations are already becoming available, in terms of maximizing them for the best treatment of our patients, we are in the infancy. Whether it’s predictive analytics, artificial intelligence, big data or remote monitoring, there’s a huge fundamental change in care on the horizon. We need philanthropy to fuel these innovations.

“OUR GOAL IS TO ACHIEVE UNPARALLELED SAFETY, SERVICE AND EXCELLENCE IN EVERYTHING THAT WE DO.”

ROBERTA SCHWARTZ

HERE TO HEAL

PROGRAM PROMOTES ALL-ENCOMPASSING

For every 10 adult Americans, at least six have a chronic condition — such as cancer, stroke or Alzheimer’s disease. There is now a place where these patients and their families can turn for the next generation of health care, one that looks beyond the exam room.

The Cook Family Health Education and Learning (HEAL) program at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital will open this year. After receiving a life-altering diagnosis, a patient can join HEAL to find ways to cope with the challenges of an unpredictable health journey and reconnect with the spiritual side of healing.

“HEAL offers companionship on the journey to recovery plus the ability to find the resources to recuperate in the fastest time possible,” says Benjamin Renfrow, director of operations, outpatient clinic programs at Houston Methodist The Woodlands. “It’s anything that the patient needs outside of the clinical scope of care —

outlook, perspective, stress management and even healthier lifestyle recommendations.”

HEAL will provide patients and their families many opportunities to fulfill wellbeing goals. Yoga, meditation and tai chi will dot the activities schedule. Cooking classes will enliven the teaching kitchen, and local chefs will demo how to make healthy, affordable meals. A salon will feature wigs and prosthetics fittings to help boost self-confidence.

Following a lead gift from John and Marchita Cook, plus others from generous community members, the unique project sparked the interest of the Mabee Foundation. Trustees awarded a challenge grant, encouraging others to join in supporting HEAL. If the fundraising goal is met by July 2023, the Mabee Foundation will close out the project with a generous gift.

“HEAL will give patients the assurance someone truly has their back and is taking their needs into account, guiding them every step of the way,” says Renfrow. “And without philanthropy, HEAL would not exist.

It’s a product of the giving nature of our community that will evolve with patient needs.”

SECOND NATURE

SIMULATION TRAINING SYNCS WITH UNPARALLELED PATIENT CARE

Registered nurse Sarai Lerma says she sometimes felt overwhelmed as a newcomer on the hospital floor at Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital. As is common among new nurses, unease at the thought of not completing a task correctly weighed on her, and Lerma turned to her nursing manager with her concerns.

“The education team helped me practice my IV insertion skills on a manikin, and the simulation experience reduced my anxiety,” says Lerma. “I am grateful to work with people who have a true calling to help new nurses.” Lerma refers to her experience in the 7,112-square-foot Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Clinical Education & Training Facility that opened in 2019 just before the pandemic. With a vision of building a world-class clinical education and training facility for all staff and providers, the facility is conveniently located on the hospital campus in an environment that is comfortable and stress free. Realistic manikins provide hands-on training for a range of human health conditions, all with the goal of enhanced patient care.

Health care professionals work in teams and are always striving to keep their skills current to ensure the best outcomes for patients. An example was the need to hone patient proning skills during the COVID-19 pandemic. Proning is the process of safely turning a patient from the back to the stomach so the individual is lying face down, often beneficial for breathingcompromised COVID-19 patients. Houston Methodist Baytown caregiver teams came together in the facility to successfully practice the slow, controlled team movement.

“The facility is designed to provide staff with comprehensive education to perfect skills, improve confidence and elevate care and service to the highest standard,” says David P. Bernard, CEO of Houston Methodist Baytown and

senior vice president of Houston Methodist. “We will be forever grateful to the family who invested here to support this training space and then challenged others to join them with their own philanthropic commitments.” He adds, “We are excited that the donor family wants the facility named in honor of Lupe and Pete Alfaro, whose service to the hospital and community is unparalleled.”

Pete Alfaro, a former mayor of Baytown, serves as a trustee of the hospital and chairs its Patient Family Advisory Council. The Alfaros’ dedication to the hospital and the patient experience also stems in part from the unexpected death of their daughter at another hospital outside of the greater Houston area — an experience from which they wish to protect other families.

Pete’s enthusiasm for the training opportunity shines through when he speaks. “As an educator and engineer, my wife Lupe and I are passionate about providing health care professionals with the quality learning resources they need to practice or enhance their skills to benefit patients and their families,” he explains. “Patients should be the center of everything that is done in a hospital, and that’s why we all work so hard at Houston Methodist Baytown to support the doctors, nurses and other care providers in our community.”

NURSES JILLIAN RUSSELL, JESSICA GOMEZ AND VAN JAYMAR MARIANO AT THE TRAINING FACILITY IN BAYTOWN

LOOKING BACK THINKING AHEAD

FULL-CIRCLE HEALTH JOURNEY LEADS TO ESTATE GIFT

George Balliet cannot remember his very first encounter with Houston Methodist because he was only 4 months old, but it made an impact on his life. The care he received for a urologic condition put him on a path toward healing.

“My history with Houston Methodist is unique and special,” Balliet says. “Those early experiences made a positive impression on my family, and that relationship built over time as I had a decade-long series of surgeries. The continuity of care I’ve received from Houston Methodist for almost 60 years is extraordinary.”

Urologic diseases, disorders and conditions — ranging from kidney stones to urinary tract infections — affect millions of people of all

ages and may lead to impaired quality of life, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. For Balliet, his health issues remained resolved from 1974 to 2017. Then, he began experiencing what he calls “more adventures from that health history.” After much research and insurance negotiation, he was initially approved for care at both Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic.

However, he discovered that Dr. Rose Khavari — professor of urology in the Houston Methodist Academic Institute and a leader in neuro-urology and pelvic reconstructive surgery — had the most cutting-edge knowledge, research and skills to address his health complications. He chose Houston Methodist.

“Dr. Khavari is outstanding,” says Balliet. “She is thorough, compassionate and supportive. Dr. Khavari and her staff have helped me thrive and enjoy excellent health and a fantastic lifestyle. For patients who have a medical history that is primarily urological, the quality-of-life aspect matters a lot.”

He recently made a planned gift to Houston Methodist that reflects his gratitude to his favorite physician and her team for their excellent care and specialized expertise.

“This estate gift allows me to support Houston Methodist and pass on my own good fortune, and I hope it also inspires others to do so,” Balliet says. “Houston Methodist has been important to me my entire life, and I know it will continue to be a world-class institution with world-class research well into the future.”

Balliet’s grandparents helped him gain an early diagnosis. His grandfather was a thoracic surgeon, and his grandmother was a nurse.

Balliet’s parents drove from Austin to Houston to seek specialized care at Houston Methodist.

“My grandmother was the one who first noticed my symptoms,” says Balliet. “My grandfather had a colleague at Houston Methodist who accepted me as a patient from Austin and made sure I had the best care possible.”

In the most recent round of care by Dr. Khavari, Balliet has traveled from San Antonio, where he has lived since 1999.

“It is quite an experience to look down at the original Houston Methodist Hospital building from Dr. Khavari’s office in Scurlock Tower while knowing the legacy of care I’ve received since I was a baby,” says Balliet. “Very few people are fortunate enough to have all the stars align when it matters most.”

GEORGE BALLIET’S MAJOR GIFT WILL FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE HOUSTON METHODIST DEPARTMENT OF UROLOGY

THE ART OF HEALING

WHEN THE BEDSIDE BECOMES A STAGE

If all the world’s a stage, then the Houston Methodist Center for Performing Arts Medicine (CPAM) is setting the scene with a unique interplay of art, faith and medicine.

The nation’s largest, most comprehensive center specializing in harnessing the healing power of the arts, CPAM recently received the most significant gift in its history. For CPAM leaders, this commitment enables them to reach the community well beyond hospital walls.

“In just over 25 years, we have emerged as the only program in the country providing precision care to visual and performing artists

while also integrating the arts into the hospital environment,” says Dr. Robert E. Jackson, the C. Richard Stasney, MD Distinguished Chair in Performing Arts Medicine. “This unprecedented gift allows us to extend our healing touch.”

Benefactors Susan and Thomas Smith created the Susie and Tommy Smith Matthew 25:44 Inspire Initiative to give back to a city alive with the arts. Driven by their faith, the Smiths named their endowment for a Bible verse that advocates for helping people in need.

“Their gift aligns with the hospital’s goal of supporting mind, body and soul,” says

J. Todd Frazier, the Gerald H. Dubin, MD Presidential Distinguished Centennial Director in the Art of Medicine for CPAM. “It will help us take CPAM’s blend of medicine, spirituality and the arts to people in times of their greatest need.”

This major endowment will fund three initiatives: a program for resident artists who will perform and create art and conduct scholarly activity, an expansion of music and creative arts therapy services for patients, and The Community Mobile-Arts Response Program, dedicated to uplifting Houstonians in crisis after natural disasters or other traumatic events.

Combined with a generous gift from an anonymous donor, the Matthew 25:44

Inspire Initiative strikes a beautiful chord for CPAM’s future. “These resources will help CPAM blossom for the next 25 years,” says Dr. Jackson.

ONE OF 17 HOUSTON METHODIST MUSIC THERAPISTS, JESSICA HERNANDEZ EMPLOYS MELODY TO BOTH CALM AND MOTIVATE PATIENTS

THE 2022 SUPPORTERS OF CPAM HAVE OUR GENUINE GRATITUDE

AT BAT

BIG DATA, AI MAKE PERSONALIZED ORTHOPEDICS CARE POSSIBLE

Whether it is tendinitis in the elbow after a tennis match or a torn rotator cuff following a baseball injury, patients need quality orthopedic care. At Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, surgeons and scientists are incorporating big data and artificial intelligence (AI) to personalize that specialty care.

“Personalized medicine is a nice catchphrase, but how do we apply that practice to patient care?” asks Dr. Joshua D. Harris, associate program director of the orthopedic surgery residency program in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Houston Methodist. “We can potentially harness data to predict outcomes for common surgeries like knee or hip replacement, which will allow patients to return to their beloved activities more quickly.”

Employing personalized medicine enables surgeons to better anticipate problems before they emerge. Thus, a care team can tailor conditioning and recovery plans based on patients’

unique health histories and body dynamics. To this end, prominent friends of Houston Methodist wanted to show their support.

In 2022, Jim and Carole Walter Looke generously established two endowed positions: the C. James and Carole Walter Looke Chair in Orthopedic Spine Surgery and the C. James and Carole Walter Looke Presidential Distinguished Centennial Chair in Orthopedics. The latter received a match from the Walter Centennial Chair Challenge and was bestowed upon Dr. Kevin E. Varner, chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. The Lookes also created an orthopedic resident and fellow research awards fund that honors Carole’s brother, Joseph C. “Rusty” Walter III, and supports next-generation talent.

Six months later, Bobbie E. Nau and John L. Nau III made a philanthropic commitment to establish the Bobbie Nau and John L. Nau III Distinguished Chair in Joint Preservation. The philanthropic impact of their gift was elevated thanks to a match from an anonymous benefactor.

Dr. Harris says these gifts will bolster advances in care. “Merging big data and AI into orthopedics takes a lot of computing power plus smart individuals to run the algorithms,” he says. “Philanthropy helps take it to the next level.”

NEWS & UPDATES

HEARST FOUNDATION GRANT BOOSTS UROLOGY, BREAST CANCER EDUCATION

Houston Methodist’s Department of Urology and the Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center implemented effective multimedia outreach efforts this past year with generous grant funding from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.

Houston Methodist is dedicated to making education and research accessible, and the high-quality series of videos shown on social media sites — including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn — were viewed by nearly 100,000 subscribers across the various channels.

Educational priorities for the videos include surgical training, patient education, expert overviews and instructive lectures. More videos are planned for 2023.

HOUSTON METHODIST SUGAR LAND CELEBRATES BHALLA MAIN PAVILION

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital renamed its main pavilion the Col. Raj and Kanwal Bhalla Main Pavilion in 2022 after a generous donation from longtime patients Col. Raj and Kanwal Bhalla. The two have been patients at the hospital since it opened in 1998 “Kanwal and I have found the doctors and nurses extremely caring, courteous and professionally outstanding,” Col. Bhalla says. “We are thrilled to support this hospital and its work in caring for the community.”

The Bhallas’ unrestricted gift will be used to support various programmatic efforts across the hospital. “I am deeply grateful for the generosity of the Bhallas,” says Chris Siebenaler, CEO of Houston Methodist Sugar Land and regional senior vice president of Houston Methodist.

KATZ ACADEMY OF TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM, DINNER HONORS

INVESTIGATORS

The Houston Methodist Jerold B. Katz Academy of Translational Research, which seeks to recruit and retain the world’s most promising scientists in health care, celebrated four Katz Investigators at an inaugural symposium and dinner on November 3, 2022.

• Dr. Nestor F. Esnaola (2019 appointee) is studying geographical areas served by the Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center and analyzing racial and ethnic cancer health disparities in underserved communities.

• Dr. Khurram Nasir ( 2019 appointee) is building a robust cardiovascular disease prevention and education program.

• Dr. Trisha L. Roy (2020 appointee) is developing and studying the use of the most advanced imaging techniques to evaluate blood vessel blockages.

• Dr. Rodney J. Folz ( 2021 appointee) will research asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the identification of biological markers that can help determine treatments.

DR. KHURRAM NASIR, DR. TRISHA L. ROY, EVAN KATZ, DR. RODNEY J. FOLZ AND DR. NESTOR F. ESNAOLA

MILLICAN GIFT TO HOUSTON METHODIST CLEAR LAKE SUPPORTS SCHOLARS

The Monica and Larry Millican Education Endowment at Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital will be matched by the Inspire Fund Challenge, doubling the gift’s philanthropic impact. The endowment supports education and training opportunities for Houston Methodist Clear Lake employees. These may include scholarships for employees in entry-level and midlevel positions as well as programs that foster a connection with the community to help cultivate a talent pool for careers in health care at Houston Methodist Clear Lake.

Scholarship recipients may use the funding to support their education costs, including tuition, books, lab fees, parking, transportation and other course fees.

WINTERMANN FOUNDATION GIFT BENEFITS

NURSING EDUCATION IN GREATER HOUSTON AREA

The David and Eula Wintermann Foundation made a generous gift to establish the Houston Methodist West Nursing Faculty Endowment at Houston Methodist West Hospital. The gift was matched dollar for dollar by the Inspire Fund Challenge.

The Wintermann Foundation’s important support will provide protected time for master’s-degreed nurses who wish to serve as adjunct faculty at area nursing schools. These adjunct professors will help cover a shortage in nursing faculty caused by budget constraints, an aging faculty and increasing job competition from clinical sites, as noted in 2022 by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

GLASSCOCK FOUNDATION FUNDS NURSING EXCELLENCE AT HOUSTON METHODIST

CYPRESS

The Melbern G. and Susanne M. Glasscock Foundation made a generous commitment to establish the Crowning Achievement Awards for Excellence in Nursing at Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital. The endowed fund supports educational, training and research programs. The Crowning Achievement Awards provide nurses with the advanced tools and knowledge to deliver healing and comfort when patients need it most.

“Nurses are the lifeblood of our hospitals, and we are grateful for this support for their ongoing education in the latest techniques and practices,” says Dr. Marc L. Boom, Houston Methodist president and CEO.

NURSE AMANDA MCELWEE WITH HOUSTON METHODIST CLEAR LAKE HOSPITAL’S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

SPECIAL EVENTS

FAITH & MEDICINE | LOU HOUSER, LIBBIE NELSON AND WENDY MORELAND FAITH & MEDICINE | JOHN BOOKOUT AND DR. MARC BOOM

FAITH & MEDICINE | PAT HOLMES, MARTHA DEBUSK AND MARY DAFFIN FAITH & MEDICINE | PEGGY AND GARY EDWARDS

FOURTH ANNUAL LINBECK LEGACY CLAY SHOOT | EASTHAM ENTERPRISES, INC. TEAM

PORTRAITS OF PERSEVERANCE |

DR. SIPPI KHURANA, SUSAN ARNOLDY HANSEN AND VICKI WEST

PORTRAITS OF PERSEVERANCE | LIZ DINERSTEIN, LINDSEY LOOKE, MEQUET WERLIN AND KATY NELSON

PORTRAITS OF PERSEVERANCE |

NANCY STROHMER, CHERYL GOLUB, MADY KADES AND BETH WOLFF

HOUSTON METHODIST

INAUGURAL GOLF

TOURNAMENT | WALLY FORD AND CHAIR AL KAPLAN

HOUSTON METHODIST INAUGURAL GOLF TOURNAMENT | ENCAP INVESTMENTS L.P. TEAM

Scan to view a photo gallery of 2022 events

CHAIRHOLDERS ELEVATING BRILLIANCE NEW

The eight Houston Methodist endowed chairs filled in 2022 represent extraordinary leadership responding to many of the most compelling patient care needs of modern medicine. Through the generosity of the benefactors who established these endowed positions, chairholders draw from a stable, long-term financial resource to support their innovative and impactful work.

CESAR A. ARIAS, MD, MS C , P H D

John F. III and Ann H. Bookout Distinguished Chair for Research Excellence

Dr. Arias is chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Houston Methodist Hospital and co-director of the Center for Infectious Diseases Research at the Houston Methodist Research Institute. An internationally recognized physicianscientist with expertise in the molecular and clinical aspects of antimicrobial resistance, Dr. Arias is a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, a board director for the Infectious Diseases Society of America and a member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation. Dr. Arias is the founding chair of the Gulf Coast Consortium for Antimicrobial Resistance. He is also a consultant for the World Health Organization Antibiotic Pipeline Panel and a part of the Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group funded by the National Institutes of Health.

J. TODD FRAZIER

Gerald H. Dubin, MD Presidential Distinguished Centennial Director in the Art of Medicine for the Center for Performing Arts Medicine

Exploring how music affects the brain and can improve patient outcomes is part of the groundbreaking research in progress at Houston Methodist under the leadership of Frazier, director of the Houston Methodist Center for Performing Arts Medicine. Since he began as program director in 2013, music therapy has become an integral part of patient recovery in multiple care units, and the arts have been integrated in community areas to improve the patient and employee experience. Recently, focus has expanded to support benefactor Dr. Gerald Dubin’s wish to improve compassionate and empathetic communication skills in the hospital setting through the arts. The recipient of numerous awards, Frazier graduated from the Eastman School of Music before studying at The Julliard School.

JUN LI, MD, P H D

The John M. O’Quinn Foundation Presidential Distinguished Chair in Neurology

As chair of the Stanley H. Appel Department of Neurology, Dr. Li’s goals are to integrate patient care and research, attract extramural funding and produce high-impact scientific discoveries. His area of subspecialty is in peripheral nerve diseases and myelin biology. Dr. Li treats patients from all over the U.S. With research continuously funded (for nearly two decades) by the National Institutes of Health, he has published more than 90 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. Dr. Li has received the Wolfe Research Prize from the American Neurological Association and is a current member of its board of directors as well as the certification council of the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties.

JOAN E. NICHOLS, P H D

Dr. and Mrs. Alan L. Kaplan Centennial Chair in Cellular Therapeutics and Organ Bioengineering

Nichols is a professor of immunology in surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College and a full member of the Houston Methodist Research Institute. She has directed or collaborated on research projects examining wound and tissue repair as well as alterations in the immune response of the lung and other respiratory tissues after exposure to pollutants and/or pathogens. With expertise in microbiology and immunology, Nichols combines stem cells with tissue-engineering techniques. Highlights include the production of whole human acellular scaffolds and a bioengineered lung for transplantation. Nichols’ mission is to apply science and engineering to regenerate or restore injured, diseased or degenerated tissues and organs for enhanced quality of human life.

POLLY A. NIRAVATH, MD

Lois E. and Carl A. Davis Centennial Chair in Cancer Research

Dr. Niravath spearheads the survivorship clinic in the Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center. Her goal is to offer comprehensive patient care from diagnosis to treatment. A breast oncologist board certified in oncology and hematology, Dr. Niravath focuses her research on survivorship and reduction of treatment-related side effects for breast cancer patients. After finishing her medical training at the University of California, Irvine, Dr. Niravath completed her residency and fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine. She was awarded clinical research grants from the National Institutes of Health and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Her vision includes broadening survivorship research to support Houston Methodist’s candidacy for National Cancer Institute designation.

DIMITRY G. SAYENKO, MD, P H D

Paula and Joseph C. “Rusty” Walter III Associate Director in Neuromodulation

With the goal to improve quality of life for patients with severe neurological injuries and disorders, Dr. Sayenko leads the Neuromodulation and Recovery Laboratory at Houston Methodist. In his clinical research, Dr. Sayenko seeks to promote both upper and lower limb sensorimotor function using both noninvasive and invasive spinal stimulation technologies. Currently, no other medical center in the world is addressing all four simultaneously. Dr. Sayenko received his medical degree from the Russian State Medical University and completed doctoral and postdoctoral training in Japan and Canada. With his Houston Methodist colleagues, he is initiating research to help restore motor function via epidural spinal electrodes, robotic interfaces and virtual reality.

KEVIN E. VARNER, MD

C. James and Carole Walter Looke Presidential Distinguished Centennial Chair in Orthopedics

Dr. Varner is chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and assistant professor of clinical orthopedic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Varner has published more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles. Patients nationwide seek him out for his expertise in foot and ankle injuries. He serves as head physician for the Houston Ballet, physician for the Houston Texans, and orthopedic consultant for the Houston Astros and Houston Rockets. Dr. Varner received his medical degree and completed his residency and internship at Baylor College of Medicine. He completed his foot and ankle fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital. A board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Varner has been a Texas Monthly magazine Super Doctor ® annually for over a decade.

MING YOU, MD, P H D

Daniel E. Lehane, MD Distinguished Chair in Cancer Excellence

As an internationally recognized expert in research on cancer prevention, Dr. You has a mission to drive patient care to the next level in the Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center. Dr. You has participated in National Cancer Institute think tanks for cancer susceptibility and chemoprevention and is currently a principal investigator for grants from the National Cancer Institute and the National Institutes of Health. After completing medical school at Beijing Medical College, he earned a doctorate in pathology at the Medical College of Ohio. Dr. You and his Houston Methodist research team are developing multiple mitochondria-targeted drugs as preventive and therapeutic agents in lung, oral and breast cancers. Dr. You is also initiating prophylactic cancer vaccines.

LEADERSHIP

Houston Methodist Board of Directors

Gregory V. Nelson, Chair

John F. Bookout, Chair Emeritus

Ewing Werlein, Jr., Senior Chair

Marc L. Boom, MD, President and CEO

Carlton E. Baucum, Vice Chair

Mary A. Daffin, Vice Chair

Elizabeth Blanton Wareing, Secretary

David M. Underwood, Jr., Asst. Secretary

Joseph C. “Rusty” Walter III, Treasurer

Joe Bob Perkins, Asst. Treasurer

Emily A. Crosswell

Martha Smith DeBusk

Gary W. Edwards

Juliet S. Ellis

Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey

Mark A. Houser

Rev. Kenneth R. Levingston

Vidal G. Martinez

Constance M. Mobley, MD, PhD

W. Benjamin Moreland

Peter T. Nguyen, MD, President of the Medical Staff

Thomas J. Pace III, DMin

Edmund W. Robb III, DMin

Douglas E. Swanson, Jr.

Spencer A. Tillman

Advisory

Rev. Kip R. Gilts

Karla M. Kurrelmeyer, MD, President-Elect of the Medical Staff

Life Members

Ernest H. Cockrell

James C. Dishman

Connie M. Dyer

Isaac H. Kempner III

Robert K. Moses, Jr.

Sandra Gayle Wright, RN, EdD

Houston Methodist Academic Institute Board of Directors

Martha Smith DeBusk, Chair

W. Benjamin Moreland, Vice Chair

Evan H. Katz, Secretary

Marc L. Boom, MD, President and CEO, Houston Methodist

Edward A. Jones, President and CEO, Houston Methodist Research Institute

H. Dirk Sostman, MD, President, Houston Methodist Academic Institute

Edward R. Allen III, PhD

Steven Birdwell

P. Embry Canterbury

David Chao

Ernest D. Cockrell II

Martin Craighead

W. Leslie Doggett

Antonio M. Gotto, Jr., MD, DPhil

Sippi K. Khurana, MD

Edwin H. “Ed” Knight

Francis S.Y. Lee, MD, PhD

Steven S. Looke

Ransom C. Lummis

David A. Modesett

Gregory V. Nelson

Joe Bob Perkins

Mary Eliza Shaper Ward Sheffield

Suzanne H. Smith

Douglas E. Swanson, Jr.

David M. Underwood, Jr.

Amy L. Waer, MD

Martha S. Walton

Judge Ewing Werlein, Jr.

Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation

Board of Directors

John W. Johnson, Chair

John F. Bookout, Chair Emeritus

Ewing Werlein, Jr., Senior Chair

Elizabeth Blanton

Wareing, Vice Chair

Emily A. Crosswell, Secretary

Dorothy M. Ables

Marc L. Boom, MD

Susan H. Coulter, JD, President and CEO, Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation

Vidal G. Martinez

Gregory V. Nelson

Gerald B. Smith

David M. Underwood, Jr.

Joseph C. “Rusty”

Walter III

James V. Walzel

Marc A. Watts

Randa Weiner

Houston Methodist

Baytown Hospital

Board of Trustees

Gilbert Santana, Chair

Pete Alfaro, Vice Chair

David P. Bernard, Secretary

Wayne Baldwin

Marc L. Boom, MD

R.D. Burnside

Tommy Clements

Shawn Kuntz

Walter O’Hara, MD, President of the Medical Staff

Rick Peebles

Gary T. Schmidt

Chris Siebenaler

Lynda Villanueva, PhD

Houston Methodist

Clear Lake Hospital

Board of Trustees

Marc L. Boom, MD, Chair

Chris Siebenaler, Vice Chair

Levi Benton

John D. Kennedy

LaRon Mason, MD, President-Elect of the Medical Staff

Dr. Jerry Neff

Charles Pulliam

Elaine Renola

Mark Savrick, MD, President of the Medical Staff

Judge Holly T. Williamson

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

Board of Trustees

William F. Schwer, Chair

Suehing W. Y. Chiang, Vice Chair

Chris Siebenaler, Secretary

Marc L. Boom, MD

Elizabeth Butler

Anthony Francis

Gene Huebner, MD

Jeffrey Jackson, MD

Lonnie Meadows

Rev. Martin Nicholas

Scott Rivenes, MD

Sutapa Sur

Houston Methodist

The Woodlands Hospital

Board of Trustees

Ann Snyder, PhD, Chair

Ramon M. Cantu, Vice Chair

Debra F. Sukin, PhD, Secretary

Ralph Alexander

Marc L. Boom, MD

Paul Cunningham, MD, Vice President of the Medical Staff

Susan Dio

Bishop Robert “Bob” Hayes

Marc Labbé, MD, President of the Medical Staff

Sallie Rainer

Laura Sugg

Houston Methodist West Hospital

Board of Trustees

Vidal Ramirez, Chair

Ramon M. Cantu, Vice Chair

Wayne Voss, Secretary

Marc L. Boom, MD

Sandra P. Bretting

William A. Callegari

Amito Chandiwal, MD, Vice President of the Medical Staff

Donald Chaney

Irfan Iftikhar, MD, President of the Medical Staff

Neice Lang

Stuart I. Levin

Rahul B. Mehta

Brad Morgan, DMin

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital

Board of Trustees

Reginald Lillie, Chair

Ken Werlein, Vice Chair

Keith D. Barber, Secretary

Marc L. Boom, MD

J. David Cabello

Muhammad Hanif, MD, President-Elect of the Medical Staff

Linda J. Humphries

Griff E. Jones

Sippi K. Khurana, MD

Stacy Norton, MD, President of the Medical Staff

Jennifer Pittman

Lee Robison

Barbara Schlattman

Debra F. Sukin, PhD

President’s Leadership Council

Senior Cabinet

Steven D. Stephens, Chair

Robert J. Allison, Jr.

Eva C. Bisso

Kelli L. Blanton

Marc L. Boom, MD

Michael Casey

Art Chavez

David A. Cockrell

Clayton Erikson

Daniel M. Gilbane

Michael J. Graff

Janet Gurwitch

George Kelly

David D. Kinder

John P. Kotts

William Gentry Lee, Jr.

Aylwin Lewis

Steve Lindley

Michael C. Linn

Rahul B. Mehta

Cynthia PickettStevenson

Veronica SelinkoCurran, MD

Douglas E. Swanson, Jr.

David M. Underwood, Jr.

Robert L. Zorich

At-Large Members

Arch H. Aplin III

Bruce R. Bilger

Isabel G. David

Jack Dinerstein

Carolyn W. Dorros

Celia J. Dupré

Jenny Elkins

W. Lawrence Elliott

Thomas L. Elsenbrook

Jeffrey H. Foutch

Linda C. Gill

Steven J. Kean

Michael J. Plank

Cullen R. Spitzer

Alan L. Stein

Scott Wegmann

Paul Yetter

Advocacy Committee

George M. Masterson, Chair

Gina B. Andrews

Jonathan Baksht

Eddy S. Blanton

Kelli L. Blanton

Muffin Clark

David A. Cockrell

Claudia Contreras

David R. Dominy

Janet Luby

Jeffrey E. Margolis

David R. McKeithan, Jr.

Mary Ann McKeithan

Denise D. Monteleone

Joel L. Moore

Cabrina F. Owsley

Rick Perez

Suzanne H. Smith

Franco Valobra

Karen D. Walker

Dancie Perugini Ware

Kelley Young

Patient Experience Committee

Ward Sheffield, Chair

Matthew K. Baird

Bruce Bilger, Jr.

George M. Britton, Jr.

R.D. Burnside

Gerardo A. Chapa

Muffin Clark

M. Scott Cone

Denis A. DeBakey

William J. Doré, Jr.

Ann H. Elvin

Marc P. Gordon

Vicki A. Hollub

David D. Kinder

Laura Laux

Jeffrey E. Margolis

Dale L. Martin

Grant Martinez

Andrew D. McCullough, Jr.

Rahul B. Mehta

Frank D. Perez

Melanie C. Rothwell

Scott E. Schwinger

Veronica SelinkoCurran, MD

David M. Underwood, Jr.

Duncan K. Underwood

Judge Holly T. Williamson

Faculty Campaign Committee

Richard Harper, MD, Chair

H. Dirk Sostman, MD, Co-chair

Jett Brady, MD

Ron Gentry, MD

Robert E. Jackson, MD

Gerald Lawrie, MD

Brian Miles, MD

Todd Trask, MD

Specialty Councils

Houston Methodist Advancing Nursing

Excellence Council

Emily Crosswell, Chair

Judy Ley Allen

Linda Clarke Anderson

Ginger Blanton

Leslie D. Blanton

Muffin Clark

Cathy Fitzpatrick Cleary

Allyson Priest Cook

Carla Dawson

Marcy Duncan

Lauren Weil Friedman

Jan Griesenbeck

Jes Hagale

Deborah M. Harper

Sonny Messiah Jiles

Catherine S. Jodeit

Judi Johnson

Kistal Key

Lucy C. Kormier, MD

Elyse B. Lanier

Judy Levin

Julie Stone Payne

Sissy Roberts

Melissa B. Schnitzer

Tommye S. Torian

Lynda K. Underwood

Dr. Katherine E. Walsh

Mary E. Webber

Carolyn Josey Young

Houston Methodist Center for Performing Arts Medicine Advisory Council

Robert E. Jackson, MD, Chair

C. Richard Stasney, MD, Founder

E. William Barnett

Ginger Blanton

Anthony K. Brandt, PhD

Sharon Bryan

Albert Y. Chao

James W. Crownover

Rod K. Cutsinger

Sue Nan Cutsinger

Françoise A. Djerejian

Victor Fainstein, MD

Jeremy Finkelstein, MD

J. Todd Frazier

Elizabeth L. Ghrist

Suzanne M. Glasscock

Carole J. Hackett, BSN, EdM, RN

Richard L. Harper, MD

Christof Karmonik, PhD

Thomas A. Krouskop, PhD, PE

Michael W. Lieberman, MD, PhD

Sharon Ley Lietzow

Judy E. Margolis

Gabby Martinez

Vidal G. Martinez

Hoyt T. “Toby” Mattox

Edwards U. McReynolds, MD

Rev. Charles R. Millikan, DMin

James M. Musser, MD, PhD

Judy Nyquist

Nicholas A. Phillips

Patricia Rauch

L. E. Simmons

Jerome B. Simon

Nancy C. Smith

Lois F. Stark

Apurva A. Thekdi, MD

Laura Jennings Turner

Kevin E. Varner, MD

Margaret Alkek Williams

Stephen T. Wong, PhD, PE

Robert A. Yekovich, DMA

Houston Methodist

DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center Council

Robyn Canterbury, Chair

Robert J. Allison, Jr.

Seth M. Barrett

J. Denny Bartell

Kristen Berger

Marc L. Boom, MD

Kenneth E. Breaux

John R. Butler, Jr.

P. Embry Canterbury

Carl M. Carter III

Gerardo A. Chapa

Mary A. Daffin

Denis A. DeBakey

Joann P. DiGennaro

Brad Dinerstein

William J. Doré, Jr.

William J. Doré, Sr.

Nan Duhon

Jean Durdin

Connie M. Dyer, Co-chair Emeritus

Danielle Ellis

Eva K. Farha

William E. Gipson

Marc P. Gordon

David B. Greenberg

Matthew Harris

Miguel A. Hernandez

Wendy Hines

Alard Kaplan

Fadila B. Kibsgaard

William E. King

William E. Kline, PhD

Cynthia G. Kostas

Carole W. Looke

John M. McCormack

David R. McKeithan, Jr.

Mary Ann McKeithan

Mason L. Mote

Lance Murphy

Taylor Norris

Frank D. Perez

Cynthia PickettStevenson, Co-chair Emeritus

Douglas R. Quinn

Elizabeth C. Walter

Houston Methodist Immunology Center Council

Lloyd “Lucky” Burke, Co-chair

James G. Frankel, Co-chair

Laura T. Baird

Sandy L. Burke

Louis B. Cushman

Stevan L. Dinerstein, MD

Annie Criner Eifler

Carol Frankel

Jennie Getten

Michael J. Graff

Rhonda Graff

Christy Jennings

Sippi K. Khurana, MD

Carolyn C. Light

David W. Light III

Moez Mangalji

Sultana Mangalji

Jeffrey E. Margolis

Aimee B. McCrory

Donald Poarch

Angela E. “Nikki”

Richnow

Mary Eliza Shaper

Ann G. Trammell

David M. Underwood, Jr.

Houston Methodist

Dr. Mary and Ron Neal

Cancer Center Council

Dorothy M. Ables, Chair

Jud Bailey

Carin M. Barth

Daphne Bernicker

Eric H. Bernicker, MD

E. Brian Butler, MD

Jenny Chang, MD

Scott A. Davis

Rev. Noel Denison

Ann H. Elvin

Nestor Esnaola, MD

Heather Firestone

Carol Herder

Charles Herder II

Alan L. Kaplan, MD

Rita J. Leader

John W. Lodge III

Christine Lukens

Dale L. Martin

Peggy D. Martin

Maryanne W. McCormack

David A. Modesett

Diane Modesett

Vivian O’Leary

John Orton

Katharine Orton

Jackie Phillips

Anne Rappold

Cissie Rauch-Kaplan

Julie Robertson

Melanie Rothwell

Betsy R. Siff

Glenn R. Smith

Betty A. Sommer

Bin S. Teh, MD

Christine L. Underwood

Kent Walters

W. Temple Webber III

Linda Webster

Stephen T. Wong, PhD, PE

Qing Yi, MD, PhD

Houston Methodist Neurological Institute National Council

Gary W. Edwards, Chair

William E. Chiles, Co-chair

James P. Bailey, Jr.

James R. Bath

Everett E. Bernal

Randee K. Bernal

Eddy S. Blanton

Ginger Blanton

John F. Bookout

Allen Brivic

J. David Cabello

Mary Kay Cimo

Kathleen Crist

Elizabeth Dice

Kevin Dice

Kate Fowler

Frank Gay

Paula Gay

Kate H. Gibson

Robert H. Graham

Sue Harris

Sylvia Harris

Titus H. Harris III

Billy Harrison

Gregory Hintz

Suzanne Hixson

Mary F. Johnston

Elise Joseph

Thomas C. Knudson

Gregory A. Kozmetsky

Carol Linn

Jack B. Moore

Meg Murray

James W. Oden

Cabrina F. Owsley

Karen P. Payne

Leon M. Payne, Member in Memoriam

Arthur A. Seeligson III

Donna S. Stahlhut

Roxane R. Strickling

Henry J.N. “Kitch” Taub II

Anne G. Thobae

Andrew C. von Eschenbach, MD

Dancie Perugini Ware

Elizabeth Blanton

Wareing

Lisa Wendell

Shawn Wendell

Steven B. Wyatt

Houston Methodist

Lynda K. and David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Disorders Council

Rob Fondren, Co-chair

Duncan K. Underwood, Co-chair

James J. Braniff III

Hether Benjamin Brown

Pedro Durán Gomez

Jay Golding

Lucie Harte

James C. Pappas

A. Carl Schmulen

Mark Schmulen

C. Loren Vandiver

Elizabeth Blanton

Wareing

Marie Wise

William Wise

Michael Zilkha

Nina Zilkha

Specialty Task Forces

Houston Methodist Behavioral Health Task Force

David B. Lumpkins, Chair

Frank Amsler

Eliza Duncan

Kelly Hackett

Gayle G. Kennedy

Joseph S. Looke

Kristi P. Lumpkins

Caroline Negley

Robert L. Zorich

Houston Methodist

Jack S. Blanton Eye Institute Task Force

Eddy S. Blanton, Chair

Hilary A. Beaver, MD

Jack S. Blanton, Jr.

Leslie D. Blanton

Allen Brivic

David M. Brown, MD

Petros Carvounis, MD

Jorie Jackson

Frances M. Jones, DDS

Andrew G. Lee, MD

Herbert Lyman

Jean Lyman

Kevin Merkley, MD

Aaron Miller, MD

Lisa O’Leary

Cabrina F. Owsley

Rick Raanes

Sandy Rosenberg

Florence Rutherford

Michael G. Rutherford

C. Richard Stasney, MD

Ellen Wagnon

Dancie Perugini Ware

Charles Wykoff, MD

Houston Methodist Brain and Bone Collaborative/ Orthopedics Task Force

Jon D. Deutser, Co-chair

Cynthia R. Levin Moulton, Co-chair

J. D. Bucky Allshouse

Lauren G. Anderson

Eric Brueggeman

Clint Cannon

Jennifer Davenport

Jace Duke

Heather Firestone

John Granato

Debbie Hance

Joshua D. Harris, MD

Vijay Jotwani, MD

Terry Lohrenz

Mark Loveland

Larry Margolis

Patrick McCulloch, MD

Hannah McNair

J. Mace Meeks

Keith Morris

Randy Nelson, Member in Memoriam

Kenneth Podell, PhD

Jeffrey Raizner

Margaret D. Reppert

James C. Rootes, Member in Memoriam

Todd Siff, MD

Alan L. Smith

S. Shawn Stephens

Donald Trull

Kevin E. Varner, MD

Daryl W. Wade

Barry D. Warner

Houston Methodist

Sherrie and Alan Conover Center for Liver Disease & Transplantation Task Force

Paula D. Criel, Chair

Deborah Keener Brown

Alan Conover, Member in Memoriam

Sherrie Conover

Kandice Fogle

David Garten

Kathy Ghobrial

Elizabeth A. Hoff

Tami Houston

Edward A. Jones

George P. Joseph

Burt H. Keenan, Member in Memoriam

Lawrence W. Kellner

W. Gregory Looser

Linda G. Lykos

Barbara Manousso, PhD

Patricia Maxin

Walter McFadden

Eugene A. O’Donnell

Reena Patel

Elizabeth Rotan

Mary Seefluth

Patricia Sloan

Samuel Sloan

Cynthia Urquhart

Edward Urquhart, Member in Memoriam

Houston Methodist Reconstructive Surgery Task Force

Claudia Contreras, Chair (Task Force in Development)

Houston Methodist Spiritual Care Task Force

Faisal Masud, MD

Carolyn Meyer

Steve Pate

Rabbi Adrienne Scott

Rev. John Stephens

Jim Walzel

Judge HollyT. Williamson

Nihala Zakaria

Anita Zapata

Sue Zinni

Houston Methodist Surgical Innovations Task Force

Marcos J. Basso

Clio Crespy

Michael Ellington

Douglas V. Getten

Ryan Martin

Dana L. Myers, MD

Jon Phillip Spiers, MD, JD

Jamie Taussig

Randa Weiner

John B. Young Jr.

Anat K. Zeidman

Houston Methodist

J.C. Walter Jr.

Transplant Center Task Force

W. Gregory Looser, Chair

Wayne Baldwin

Vicki L. Baucum

Cole Dawson

John Dawson, Jr.

Martha Smith DeBusk

Jan Follansbee

Kenneth G.

Follansbee, Sr.

Anita W. Garten

David B. Garten

Vicki H. Hitzhusen

Elizabeth Hoff

George P. Joseph

Alard Kaplan

Gayle G. Kennedy

Colter Lewis

Steven S. Looke

Vicki L. Massad

Michael M. Metz

Valerie Naifeh

Reena Patel

Deborah Phillips

Ahmed A. Rabie, PhD

Kathryn Rabinow

Edmund W. Robb

Nora Smati

Terrell Eastman

Sprague

Helen Streaker

Ellis L. Tudzin

Christine L. Underwood

Martha S. Walton

Hilary S. Ware

Houston Methodist Urology Task Force

John Bonner

Cathy Derrick

Robert Derrick

Karen Feld

Larry Feld

W. Benjamin Moreland

Wendy Moreland

Carolyn Putterman

Leland Putterman

Steve Selsberg

Tricia Selsberg

Elizabeth A. Smith

Houston Methodist Women’s Health Task Force

Marcy Margolis, Co-chair

Leslie Margolis, Co-chair

Elisabeth Bickham

Kelli L. Blanton

Lori Cohen

Nancy Dinerstein

Shari Fish

Fredda Friedlander

Melanie Margolis

Melanie Morgan

Cabrina F. Owsley

Barbara Ross

Elisha Selzer

Betsy R. Siff

Nina Zilkha

Women’s Advisory Groups

Houston Methodist

Baytown Hospital

Cherie Melendez, Co-chair

Mary Hartman Brown

Cody, Co-chair

Patti K. Albright

Laura Alvarado

Lanette Armstrong

Sarah J. Baldwin

Helen Barrott-Tims

Leila Bates

Margaret K. Boyd

Ginger Burnside

Sonya Cather

Sue Chatham

Kathy Clausen

Gabrielle G. Cockrell

Sheila Crawford

Heather Dickens

Lynne B. Foley

Suzanne Heinrich

Debbie C. Holmelin

Susan Hotchkiss

Teresa B. Hotchkiss

Gena Hutto

Connie E. Jennings

LaToya Johnson

Gretchen Knowles

Linda Krisher

Connie Litteer

Ginger McKay

LaNelle L. McKay

Susan G. MooreFontenot

Susan Passmore

Carolyn Polumbo

Tracey Prothro

Melinda Reichert

Sharon L. Rogers

Sherrill A. Santana

Lu Ann H. Schmidt

Macie L. Schubert

Carol Skewes

Charlotte A.

Stephenson

Karen L. Stewardson

Susan Stewart

Sheron K. Stickler

Dana Taylor

Connie Tilton

Janet G. Wahrlich

Georgina E. Walker

Jennifer N. Walsh

Judy Wheat

Tracey Wheeler

Kathy Winn

Diantha K. Woodcox

Lena R. Yepez

Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital

Elaine Renola, Chair

Susan Bailey

Trisha A. Barita

Kathleen M. Bastedo

Janis Benton

Jeanine Berwanger

Pamela Britton

Kippy Caraway

Ashley Cargle

Ashley N. Carner

Mary Alys Cherry

Peggy Clause

Joan P. Culpepper Cronk

Barbara Cutsinger

Rebecca Day

Linda S. DeMasie

Renee E. Ditta

Kaye Fama

Priscilla Fletcher

Sheree H. Frede

Janet Greenwood

Laurie Hall

Lela A. Hammond

Brenda Kennedy

Jeri Knapp

Kim Krist

Jordin N. Kruse

Cindy Lewis

Debra D. Mansfield

Cheryl Maultsby

Joan McKinney

Monica Millican

Sandra Mossman

Sandra R. Noey

Diane J. Overman

Cindi Priebe

Becky Reitz

Betsy Salbilla

Kay Schmedding

Mary Ann Shallberg

Elizabeth A. Smith

Cathy Supak

Jane Sweeney

Terryl Troyer

Vicki L. Upchurch

Dianne T. Vega-Flecklin

Diane Vest

Judge Holly T. Williamson

Dr. Patricia P. Wilson

Gaynell N. Wylie

Rosanne L. Zarcaro

Houston Methodist

Sugar Land Hospital

Elizabeth P. Butler, Chair

Iman Ali

Waynette Brunkhorst

Yolanda Celestine

Charlotte Davis

Nasheel Dodhiya

Mary Favre

Star S. Edwards Hand

Lynn C. Hewitt

Rajni Jain

Kavita Self

Patricia Somers

Nisha Vanodia

Sandra O. Varghese

Dr. Katherine E. Walsh

Jessica Williams

Houston Methodist West Hospital

Neice Lang, Chair

Joni E. Baird

Sandra P. Bretting

Victoria A. Brownewell

Caroline Champion

Laura A. Espinosa

Tamara Fugate

Sandra Hernandez

Cheryl Hollabaugh

Linda Jenkins

Margaret Laney

Jeanette Lazarofsky

Carol R. Levin

Kay W. Mitchel

Janet Theis

Melinda S. Vanzant

May Wang

Portia S. Willis

As of 3.13.23

2022 GIVING AT A GLANCE

TOTAL COMMITTED $135.9 MILLION

3,563 GIFTS

2,947 UNIQUE DONORS

SOURCES OF GIVING

90 % INDIVIDUALS

AREAS OF GIVING

25% TRAIN SUPERSTARS

25% ACCELERATE RESEARCH

9% PROMOTE HEALING

6% FOUNDATIONS

3% CORPORATIONS/ CORPORATE FOUNDATIONS

1% OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

41 % ATTRACT BRILLIANCE

HOUSTON METHODIST WAS RECENTLY RANKED NO. 2 ON THE FORBES ANNUAL LIST OF AMERICA’S BEST LARGE EMPLOYERS

SIMPLY THE BEST

THE SOCIETY FOR LEADING MEDICINE MARKS MILESTONES AND MEMORIES IN 2022

With tremendous gratitude, Houston Methodist leadership thanks the 1,005 members of The Society for Leading Medicine, who not only set a new annual membership record in 2022 but also hit a new giving high at $15 million. Through this generous support, Houston Methodist continues to accelerate research in critical areas and train the next generation of physician leaders.

Since 2012, Society members have provided more than $74 million toward investigation of new avenues that feed discovery in medicine. Annual gifts of $1,000 benefit the Houston Methodist Hospital Excellence Fund for Leading Medicine or the excellence fund of a selected community hospital, all of which support highest priorities as determined by each hospital’s CEO. Member gifts of more than $1,000 may be designated to nursing or a preferred medical specialty.

Meanwhile, members also learn the latest in medical breakthroughs straight from top physicians, network with like-minded advocates, and benefit from Platinum Program facilitated care that lends a helping hand whenever needed — whether for a medical emergency, physician referral or appointment scheduling.

The Society connects its members to the people and progress of Houston Methodist.

2023–24 CHAIRS, THE SOCIETY FOR LEADING MEDICINE:

ADAM AND DR. WAVERLY PEAKES, KRISTEN AND JOHN BERGER at Safina restaurant

Scan for more information on The Society for Leading Medicine

“

WHEN PEOPLE NEED A DOCTOR, IT’S OFTEN IN A PINCH. TO HAVE THE PEACE OF MIND OF KNOWING THAT YOU CAN MAKE ONE PHONE CALL AND THE PLATINUM PATIENT LIAISON WILL DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO HELP YOU IS INVALUABLE.”

1,000+ MEMBERSHIPS IN 2022

$15 MILLION RAISED IN 2022 H ouston Methodist Hospital Foundation 69

$74 + MILLION RAISED SINCE 2012

FROM OUR CHAIR

Thanks to you, we did it again.

This past year was another one for the books, with $135.9 million marking the second most successful fundraising year in the Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation’s history — an achievement we have realized two years in a row. As you have read throughout this magazine, all gifts will benefit patients seeking healing across a wide variety of disciplines.

An anonymous benefactor established a very significant matching opportunity that will help strengthen our rising star faculty, providing matches for 40 endowed positions to span all Houston Methodist hospitals. This commitment also benefits the new Center for Translational Neural Prosthetics and Interfaces as well as efforts in joint preservation, musculoskeletal regeneration, immunology, and the Food and Health Alliance in the Lynda K. and David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Disorders.

The past two years have been part of the quiet phase of our third campaign, and all philanthropic resources given will go toward discovering and delivering improvements in our ability to diagnose, treat and relieve symptoms of some of the most devastating diseases known to mankind. You’ve generously given $234.5 million during that time, so the future indeed looks bright.

If you’d like to learn more about how Houston Methodist continues to lead medicine and where your investments can effect transformational change, we would be delighted to have that conversation with you.

JOHN W. JOHNSON CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

CREDITS

President and CEO, Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation: Susan H. Coulter, JD

Managing Editor: Aline D. Wilson

Associate Editor: Emily Henagan

Editors: Marjorie Gonzalez, Shawn Gustafson, Veronica Vazquez

Writers: Nichole Barnes, Catherine Gillespie, Marc Levinson, Joseph Milano, Michelle Morris, Michelle Swick, Mary White

Creative Director: Karen Holland

Photographers: Robert Seale, Terry Vine

Illustrator: Martin León Barreto