HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
PATHWAYS TO A CURE
Our commitment at Houston Methodist is simple: Develop and translate the best, most innovative science and technology into beneficial realities for our patients. Translating laboratory discoveries into novel treatments for patients requires advanced research and development infrastructure, and with regulatory knowledge, technical expertise, BOARD OF DIRECTORS and specialized facilities. Houston Methodist Houston Methodist Research Institute supports translational research with on-site capabilities for Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) and good laboratory practice (GLP) studies, andearlyphase(IandII)clinicaltrials.Ourcommitment to the full translational cycle from discovery to cure is how we deliver on our mission of leading medicine in the service of our patients. Houston Methodist also provides clinical and translational education with a patient-centered and interprofessional team-based approach. We continually maximize the effectiveness of our innovative teaching and learning programs with evidence-based methodology grounded in educational research. David C. Baggett, Jr.
Ernest D. Cockrell
Steven S. Looke
John F. Bookout, Jr.
John P. Cooke, MD, PhD
Vidal G. Martinez
John F. Bookout, III
Martha DeBusk
Gregory V. Nelson
Marc L. Boom, MD
Dan O. Dinges
Mary Eliza Shaper
Timothy Boone, MD, PhD
Antonio M. Gotto, Jr., MD, DPhil
Douglas E. Swanson, Jr.
Carrie L. Byington, MD
Edward A. Jones
Andrew C. von Eschenbach, MD
Joseph R. “Rod” Canion
Evan H. Katz
Joseph C. “Rusty” Walter, III
David Chao
Edwin H. Knight
Martha Walton
Stephen Chazen
Pastor Kenneth R. Levingston
Elizabeth Wareing
Augustine M.K. Choi, MD
Kevin J. Lilly
Judge Ewing Werlein, Jr.
ANNUAL REPORT RESEARCH & EDUCATION 2018
Our Commitment to
RESEARCH & EDUCATION
Houston Methodist supports our 681 faculty with a $174M annual investment in research and education, and a competitive $14.5M philanthropic fund to support translation of their most promising technologies.
$141M RESEARCH
M
$10.4
M
NIH GRANT FUNDING
OTHER GRANT FUNDING
$12.7
INDUSTRY CONTRACTS
PHILANTHROPY
MILLIONS
$33M EDUCATION
$12.3
M
$19.9
M
CONNECTIONS
Between Innovations and People
We keep our patients at the center of our academic mission to deliver innovative patient care. We partnered with them for more than 1,261 clinical protocols, and engaged the public with 199 community outreach events, 448 patient education events, and 4,556 service activities.
1.3M
$14.5M
PATIENT ENCOUNTERS
BRIDGE FUNDS TO BRING IDEAS TO THE CLINIC
199
1,261
COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
CLINICAL PROTOCOLS
4,556
PRESENTATIONS & SERVICES
448
PATIENT EDUCATION EVENTS
WORLDWIDE
North America
Collaboration & Leadership p Global collaboration sources the best expertise for interdisciplinary research and education. In 2018, Houston Methodist faculty mentored 1,435 trainees in residence
Houst
from 42 countries and collaborated 5,218 times with peers from 74 countries.
5,218
COLLABORATIONS
1,360
1,279
RESEARCH PROJECTS
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
46
74
COLLABORATING US STATES
LEARNERS FROM
42
COUNTRIES
COLLABORATING COUNTRIES
Training the
NEXT GENERATION
of Caregivers & Innovators
Houston Methodist faculty trained 29,408 learners in 2018. Our modern interdisciplinary GME and educational programs have access to advanced resources like the MITIESM virtual hospital and procedural skills labs that support evidence-based practice.
S
Asia
ton Methodist Africa
South America
29,408 TRAINEES
Australia
PHARMACY
303 370
RESEARCH ALLIED HEALTH NURSING HEALTH CARE PHYSICIAN
399 374 466 756
2,246 12,483 11,800 14,394 12,771
HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITALS & INSTITUTES Clinical Care: 8 hospitals and 6 centers of excellence Institute for Academic Medicine: Research Institute and Education Institute Affiliated with Weill Cornell Medicine and New York Presbyterian Hospital
HOSPITALS Houston Methodist Hospital
Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital
Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital
Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital
Houston Methodist West Hospital
Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital
Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital
Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital
CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE Houston Methodist Cancer Center Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center Houston Methodist Lynda K. and David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Disorders Houston Methodist Neurological Institute Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Houston Methodist J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center
DEPARTMENTS
PROGRAMS
Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Department of Cardiology Department of Cardiovascular Sciences Department of Cardiovascular Surgery Department of Medicine Department of Nanomedicine Stanley H. Appel Department of Neurology Department of Neurosurgery Department of Nursing Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Ophthalmology Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Orthopedic Surgery Department of Pathology & Genomic Medicine Department of Pharmacy Department of Radiation Oncology Department of Radiology Department of Surgery Department of Systems Medicine & Bioengineering Department of Urology
Blanton Eye Institute Center for Bioenergetics Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration Center for Computational Surgery Center for Health & Nature Center for Immunotherapy Research Center for Inflammation & Epigenetics Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research Center for Musculoskeletal Regeneration Center for Neuroregeneration Center for Outcomes Research Center for Rapid Device Translation Immunobiology & Transplant Science Center Houston Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation & Education (MITIESM) Nantz National Alzheimer Center Neurosciences Research Program Mathematics in Medicine Program Regenerative Medicine Program Sherrie and Alan Conover Center for Liver Disease & Transplantation
1.3M
PATIENT ENCOUNTERS
6,973
PHYSICIANS
681
FACULTY
1,960
CREDENTIALED RESEARCHERS
29,408 TRAINEES
PATIENT CARE
2014 2018
Physicians
4,500 6,973
Employees
17,011 23,669
Beds
1,960 2,312
Admissions
82,739 114,586
Outpatient Visits
764,765
RESEARCH & EDUCATION
2014 2018
Research Expenditures
$126 M
$141 M
Extramural Funding
$49.2 M
$55.3 M
Faculty
525 681
Credentialed Researchers
1,460
1,960
Clinical Protocols
840
1,261
Peer-Reviewed Publications
1,225
1,279
Collaborations
3,362 5,218
Total Trainees
25,152
29,408
Trainees in Residence
1,653
1,435
GME Programs
42
51
GME Residents & Fellows
245
311
CME Trainees
14,719
10,680
MITIESM Trainees
6,110
6,825
Research Trainees
399
374
Cardiology & Heart Surgery Diabetes & Endocrinology Gastroenterology & GI Surgery Geriatrics Nephrology Neurology & Neurosurgery Orthopedics Pulmonology
1,202,769
CRADLE OF A CURE A Transformational Vision for Medical Research and Education
page
From its initial conception, the Houston Methodist Research Institute was always intended to be
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different from other medical research institutes. Its central objective is to develop treatments with ready applicability to human disease — using its physical connection to the hospital and technological expertise in FDA approval pathways to streamline the process of translating laboratory research into treatments and cures for patients.
page
TRACING TAU
to Tackle Alzheimer’s Disease
26
DIAGNOSTIC TEST
page
to Enhance Liver Transplant Outcomes
ENMED
39
Inspires Tomorrow’s Physician Engineers
page
25
Building Blocks for
page
BONE REGENERATION
13
page
RNA THERAPEUTICS
24
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Supports National Product Development page
22
PRECISION PHARMACEUTICAL for Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment
Expedites Breast Cancer Risk Prediction
CONTENTS President’s Message................................................................................................. 1 Cycle of a Cure............................................................................................................. 6
PATIENTS FIRST
Improving Patient Outcomes with Outcomes Research........................... 9
Visionary Gifts of Hope..............................................................................................10
DISCOVERY
RNA Therapeutics Supports National Product Development...............13
Tracing Tau to Tackle Alzheimer’s Disease.....................................................14
The Center for Immunotherapeutic Transport Oncophysics.................15
Drug Delivery Defies Gravity...................................................................................16
Computational Technologies for Precision Surgery..................................17
Leading The Fight Against Group A Streptococcal Infections.............18
The Center for Immunotherapy.............................................................................19
CLOSING THE GAP
Siemens Healthineers and Houston Methodist Launch Imaging Innovation Hub In Houston..................................................................21
Precision Pharmaceutical.........................................................................................22
Artificial Intelligence Expedites Breast Cancer Risk Prediction..........24
Building Blocks for Bone Regeneration...........................................................25
The Journey From Idea to Clinic...........................................................................26
CLINICAL TRIALS
T Cells Suppress Progression of Disease in ALS Patients....................29
Pioneering Research in Heart Valve Replacement.....................................30
Triple Negative Breast Cancer Immunotherapy...........................................32
EDUCATION
Training Tomorrow’s Medical Innovators..........................................................33
Community Scholars Program..............................................................................34
Medical Education........................................................................................................36
Mentored Clinical Research Training Program..............................................38
Texas A&M University Engineering Medical School at Houston Methodist Hospital...................................................................................39
Research Doctorate Programs..............................................................................40
Master In Clinical Translation Management...................................................41
Houston Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation & Education..............................................................................................42
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HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
CYCLE OF A CURE A Transformational Vision for Medical Research Houston Methodist met the challenge of translation early in the design of the research institute building. It houses the essential services and technology that support the full cycle of development to efficiently and effectively deliver innovations to the clinic. Translating laboratory innovations into treatments for patients is fraught with challenges. The lack of specialized translational
THE CYCLE OF A CURE
research resources makes it extremely difficult and expensive for most institutions to turn fundamental discoveries into tangible solutions that benefit the public. Their most promising innovations perish in the ‘Valley of Death’ before they reach the clinic. We provide support at every step of the cycle of a cure from bridge funding to technical expertise with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) facilities, good laboratory practice (GLP) facilities and clinical trial operations. The most promising innovations have a lifeline at Houston Methodist.
c
clin • Pre LP G P • GM
ical Validat
ion
y of Death e l l a V
PHASE
I
II III
Hand Off
GLP Preclinical Validation Manufacturing
Clinical Trials
Patient Care
Preclinical Studies
Outcomes & Quality Analysis
Lab Discovery
Clinical Needs
PATIENT CARE
HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
PATIENT CARE The cycle begins and ends with patient care. Clinicians in our hospitals care for more than 800,000 patients annually, enabling them to identify the most pressing challenges in medicine.
CLINICAL NEEDS Clinicians and researchers form interdisciplinary
DISCOVERY
teams to address their needs and clinical challenges.
DISCOVERY Our teams of clinicians, researchers, and collaborators from around the world have access to a full suite of technology to enable the discovery process.
PRECLINICAL VALIDATION Research teams have access to dedicated Translational Research Initiative bridge funds to take the most promising
CLOSING THE GAP
discoveries into preclinical and early phase clinical development.
cGMP MANUFACTURING The research institute is equipped with FDA cGMP-compliant facilities that produce research and clinical-grade therapeutic materials and custom radiopharmaceuticals for preclinical and first-in-human studies.
GLP PRECLINICAL VALIDATION The GLP facilities at Houston Methodist perform risk, safety and efficacy assessment studies in compliance with current FDA guidelines in preclinical models. Adherence to GLP standards
CLINICAL TRIALS
is required for safety studies in order to move to clinical trials.
CLINICAL TRIALS Teams have access to early phase trial support (pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics), and outpatient clinical care and study management services, including research, nursing, regulatory submissions and budget management support for all phases of clinical trials.
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HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
Patients First The cycle of medical innovation begins and ends with the needs of our patients.
Clinicians partner with scientists to solve the most pressing challenges in medicine.
PATIENTS FIRST
Improving Health Care Results with Outcomes Research The Houston Methodist Center for Outcomes Research is driving fundamental improvements in patient outcomes with a multidisciplinary research approach. The center is comprised of experts from different disciplines
in the community. The center is also committed
including medical science, engineering and organizational
to ensuring that the findings are effectively applied to
design, health services, biostatistics and analytics. Under
clinical practice for the benefit of patients. The evidence
the leadership of Bita Kash, PhD, MBA, the center has
gathered from the center’s work will be translated into
entered into a partnership with the Texas A&M School of
actionable strategy for implementation in health care
Public Health to further accelerate the pace and reach
systems around the world. Robert A. Phillips, MD, PhD,
of its research. According to Kash, who is the director of
executive vice president, chief medical officer, and
the Center for Outcomes Research, this partnership will
chief executive officer of the Specialty Physician
leverage the clinical expertise of physician-scientists
Group at Houston Methodist, was a key figure in the
from Houston Methodist and the research expertise
conceptualization and execution of this partnership.
of Texas A&M faculty and students in the areas of
Phillips believes that working with A&M will build
health services research, health economics, industrial
on our strengths and make us a prominent national
and systems engineering, architecture and management.
voice championing for better patient outcomes.
With a focus on population health research, the center aims to address the challenges affecting patient outcomes in acute care settings and throughout the care continuum
Bita A. Kash, PhD, MBA, Director, Center for Outcomes Research, and Robert A. Phillips, MD, PhD, executive vice president, CMO, and Specialty Physician Group CEO.
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HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
Fostering Bench to Bedside Research
Visionary Gifts of Hope
Medical breakthroughs can take up to two decades and millions of dollars to make it to the clinic. By focusing on optimizing translational research, Houston Methodist increases the efficiency of innovation with streamlined approaches that deliver effective treatments to patients in years rather than decades. This is where philanthropy steps in to help bridge the gap. Houston Methodist has been fortunate to receive sustained and generous support from dedicated philanthropists. They share our belief that translational research is the best way to propel promising innovations to the clinic. For example, the Translational Research
Paula and Rusty Walter A personal life-changing experience is often a big motivator
It will also grow our neuroscience research program
for philanthropists. Rusty, an inspirational stroke survivor,
through the Walter Neurological Restoration Initiative.
enrolled in two clinical trials at Houston Methodist. His
A portion will go toward expanding funding for the TRI,
firsthand exposure to Houston Methodist’s innovations in
which was originally conceived by the Walter family.
neurology made him an ardent supporter of our research.
In addition, this gift will establish an innovation fund
In October 2017, Houston Methodist received a $101 million
for creating an entrepreneurial platform for physicians
philanthropic gift from Paula and Rusty Walter, the largest
and researchers. Last but not the least, the gift will
in the institution’s nearly 100-year history. Houston Methodist
support Houston Methodist employees who suffered
will raise an additional $56 million in matching funds, bringing
significant losses from Hurricane Harvey. Houston
the total philanthropic impact of this gift to $157 million.
Methodist’s new 21-story tower will be named the
The gift will support the expansion of endowed chairs
Paula and Joseph C. “Rusty” Walter III Tower, in honor
and dedicated faculty in research and teaching positions.
of their extraordinary contribution.
PATIENTS FIRST
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“ Several Houston Methodist innovations owe their existence to the generosity of these individuals who share our inextinguishable faith in the power of research Initiative (TRI), a matching challenge program, combines the power of philanthropy with an expedited research model that advances promising inventions through preclinical studies, FDA approvals, and phase I and II clinical trials. The two philanthropists profiled in this article have a long-standing relationship with Houston Methodist and were early
to transform health care.
”
– Mauro Ferrari, PhD President and CEO Houston Methodist Research Institute
champions of the TRI.
Left: Marc L. Boom, MD, president and CEO, Julie A. Boom, MD, Paula Walter and Rusty Walter. Above: Nicole and Evan Katz
Jerold B. Katz Foundation Another gift focused on advancing the pursuit of translational research is a $21 million commitment from the Jerold B. Katz Foundation. This gift from the Katz family, dedicated supporters of Houston Methodist’s research vision, will establish the Jerold B. Katz Academy of Translational Research. The academy will initially endow eight Katz investigators. A part of the contribution will be used toward acquiring specialized technology for translational research. The gift will also establish a second Translational Research Initiative with $5 million. The hospital will raise $5 million to match these TRI funds, bringing the philanthropic impact to $26 million. According to Evan H. Katz, one of Jerold B. Katz’s sons and a trustee of the Jerold B. Katz Foundation, the gift is designed to continually seed innovation and facilitate the discovery of improved treatments and medications.
Paula and Joseph C. “Rusty” Walter III Tower
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HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
Discovery
Innovation begins with the fundamental scientific process of discovery.
Teams turn ideas into real solutions with sound testing and iterative design.
DISCOVERY
RNA Therapeutics RNAcore Supports National Product Development of a New Class of Biologics The Houston Methodist RNAcore is a national academic center that produces custom research-grade and clinical-grade RNA therapeutics. The team is lead by John Cooke, MD, PhD, and produces RNA therapeutics and delivery strategies for applications including cardiovascular regeneration and cancer therapeutics.
Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (sponsor) University of California San Francisco Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Boston Children’s Hospital The core was established to support the Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute by John Cooke, MD, PhD, the Joseph C. “Rusty” Walter and Carole Walter Looke Presidential Distinguished Chair in Cardiovascular Disease Research. Cooke saw a national need for reliable, high quality RNA therapeutic materials produced with transparent standard operating procedures that met FDA standards. With funding from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas, they are now producing pharmaceutical-grade therapeutics for phase I/II studies in collaboration with the Houston Methodist cGMP core facility.
John P. Cooke, MD, PhD, Professor of Cardiovascular Sciences
Columbia University Health Sciences University of Wisconsin School of Medicine Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center University of Alabama at Birmingham University of Maryland School of Medicine
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HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
Tracing Tau to Tackle Alzheimer’s Disease At Houston Methodist, physicians and scientists are developing new multimodality imaging techniques that are transforming the detection of Alzheimer’s disease progression.
Houston Methodist is one of the first sites in the U.S. to test a new radioactive tracer called [18F]AV-1451. Joseph C. Masdeu, MD, PhD, director of the Nantz National Alzheimer Center at the Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, was the primary investigator on the trial that used this tracer to measure abnormal tau at all stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Masdeu is building on this work with a team of radiopharmaceutical and imaging specialists in the research institute, adding layers of information about Alzheimer’s disease and brain inflammation with positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance. The cyclotron and cGMP radiopharmaceutical production facility led by core director Max Yu, PhD produces the needed custom tracers [18F]FDG, [11C]PIB, [18F]GE180, [18F]AV-1451, and [11C]PBR28. The tracers are then transported directly to the PET imaging suite where PET core director Paolo Zanotti Fregonara, MD, PhD combines PET with native magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize tau, beta amyloid, inflammation, and metabolic activity.
DISCOVERY
Joseph C. Masdeu, MD, PhD Director, Nantz National Alzheimer Center
The Center for Immunotherapeutic Transport Oncophysics
In these studies, Masdeu has
The National Cancer Institute awarded the Houston
discovered that combining tau
Methodist Research Institute a $9 million grant to
and beta-amyloid imaging with
establish the CITO multi-institutional consortium.
MRI to visualize metabolic activity provides more information about Alzheimer’s disease progression and neurodegeneration. The team has shown that tau spreads across the language network of the brain, like prion proteins, spreading with degeneration as it propagates
The center will integrate diverse disciplines like biophysics, materials science, and oncology to solve the challenges associated with effective targeted immunotherapy for cancer. CITO will be led by Professor of Nanomedicine Mauro Ferrari, PhD; Associate Professor of Nanomedicine Haifa Shen MD, PhD; Professor of Inflammation and Epigenetics Rongfu Wang, PhD; and Assistant Professor of Nanomedicine Arturas Ziemys, PhD.
through synapses from diseased neuron to healthy neuron. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston, MA Columbia University New York, NY Cornell University Ithaca, NY
University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN Northwestern University Chicago, IL
Houston Methodist Research Institute Houston, TX
University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute Tampa, FL
Houston Methodist is one of 10 centers in the National Cancer Institute Physical Sciences-Oncology Centers network.
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HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
Drug Delivery Defies Gravity Houston Methodist is collaborating with NASA’s Center for the Advancement of Science in Space at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center to develop an implantable nanochannel device that delivers therapeutic drugs at a rate guided by remote control, in orbit and on earth. Alessandro Grattoni, PhD, chair of the department of nanomedicine, has developed a nanochannel delivery system (nDS) that enables patients to receive physicianguided drug infusions without having to visit a hospital or clinic. The nDS is an 18 mm-wide squat cylinder containing a reservoir for drugs and a silicon membrane housing 615,342 channels as small as 2.5 nm. Drug delivery through the channels is controlled by surface electrodes that respond to the radio-frequency remote control, and ‘tune’ the rate of drug delivery. The nDS allows clinicians to tailor dosing regimens by remote control, which is particularly useful to stop or start drug delivery quickly in response to changes in a patient’s health. Grattoni’s delivery device could facilitate these changes with ease, potentially saving time, reducing costs, and improving medical outcomes for patients. Alessandro Grattoni, PhD Chair, Department of Nanomedicine
DISCOVERY
Computational Technologies for Precision Surgery Surgical resection of tumors requires precision. Inaccuracy of incisions by mere millimeters can lead to life-threatening injuries to vasculature or leave residual tumor cells behind. At the Center for Computational Surgery, scientist Marc Garbey, PhD, and surgeons Barbara Bass, MD, and Brian Dunkin, MD, have developed two technologies that are advancing the field of precision surgery.
First, they are using high frequency ventilation to counteract organ motion and eliminate respiratory motion at critical points during surgery. Second, they are using a unique 3D reconstruction technique to improve imaging from a standard laparoscopic camera outfitted with their smart trocar technology. This technology refines real-time imaging data and enables the surgeons to more accurately see what is happening inside the body during minimally invasive surgery. Together, these cost-effective technologies are making minimally invasive abdominal precision surgery a reality, and taking two more steps toward saving lives.
Left: Brian Dunkin, MD, FACS, John F., Jr. and Carolyn Bookout Chair in Surgical Innovation and Technology, Houston Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation & Education (MITIESM); Middle: Barbara Bass, MD, FACS, John F., Jr. and Carolyn Bookout Presidential Distinguished Chair, Department of Surgery, and Executive Director, MITIESM; Right: Marc Garbey, PhD, Scientific Director, Center for Computational Surgery
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HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
Leading the Fight Against
Group A Streptococcal Infections Researchers at Houston Methodist led by Muthiah Kumaraswami, PhD, have unlocked a potential pathway to treat flesh-eating disease caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria. GAS infections range from the commonly seen strep throat of which several million cases occur every year, to rare life-threatening flesh-eating disease. Kumaraswami and his team have identified a protein made by
deepening our understanding of the genetic make-up of
GAS that triggers the production of a toxin critical for causing
these bacteria to uncovering their interactions with the host
flesh-eating disease. The protein discovered by the team could
during infections. His work has shown that minor genetic
serve as a potential target for vaccine or antimicrobial development.
changes enable some strains to produce higher levels of
The discovery, published in the prestigious Proceedings of the
toxins, making them more dangerous and difficult to treat.
National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America,
Tests for detecting such toxins could enable better treatment
is particularly timely in light of the spike in flesh-eating disease
through early identification of more virulent infections.
cases in Houston after Hurricane Harvey. Kumaraswami’s work builds on a solid foundation laid by James Musser, MD, PhD, Fondren Presidential Distinguished Chair at Houston Methodist. Musser is renowned for his pioneering work in deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying GAS infections – from
Muthiah Kumaraswami, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, and James Musser, MD, PhD, Fondren Presidential Distinguished Chair
DISCOVERY
New Center for Immunotherapy From preclinical research projects on immunotherapy-based drug development to first-in-human clinical trials, Houston Methodist researchers are devoted to advancing groundbreaking immunotherapy-based approaches to treat a wide variety of diseases, including aggressive cancers. Directed by Shu-Hsia Chen, PhD, the Emily Herrmann Chair
of the tumor microenvironment, controlling immune
in Immunology Research, the Center for Immunotherapy
checkpoints, and novel immunotherapy-based strategies
Research was recently established with an internationally-
for treating cancer. Ping-Ying Pan, PhD, the center’s
recognized research team. Prior to joining Houston Methodist,
codirector, will also work closely with the Immunobiology
Chen was a tenured professor in the Department of
and Transplant Science Center at Houston Methodist to
Oncological Sciences and Surgery in the Icahn School of
develop immunotherapies that are aimed at preventing
Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York where she developed
transplant rejection and treating autoimmune conditions.
novel therapeutic strategies for treating cancer, autoimmune, and chronic inflammatory diseases. Chen’s vision for the center is to drive the bench-to-bedside translation of breakthroughs that focus on the modulation
Ping-Ying Pan, PhD, Associate Director, Center for Immunotherapy Research, and Shu-Hsia Chen, PhD, Emily Herrmann Chair in Immunology Research
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HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
Closing the Gap
Many winning ideas from the lab need partners to reach the clinic.
Houston Methodist has product development pathways that deliver results.
CLOSING THE GAP
Siemens Healthineers and Houston Methodist Launch Imaging Innovation Hub in Houston One of the world’s most powerful MRI machines, the 7 Tesla (7T) MRI scanner, comes to the Texas Medical Center in 2018 through a Siemens Healthineers and Houston Methodist multi-year consortium agreement. The consortium currently includes Rice University, The
Access to such high-throughput multi-modality
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston,
imaging equipment in a translational research setting
University of Houston, Baylor College of Medicine and
is seen in very few centers across the world. As part
Texas A&M.
of this agreement, Houston Methodist and Siemens
Ultra-high-field 7T MRI is expected to be the next big leap in imaging innovation. It provides significantly higher
have planned joint research in several areas of common interest.
resolution for enhanced visualization of previously unseen
Additionally, Siemens will outfit the Houston Methodist
structures and faster acquisition times than the 3T we use
Institute for Technology, Innovation & Education (MITIESM)
today. In addition to anatomical details, images yielded
and the newly constructed North Tower with triple
by 7T MRI also illustrate physiology or biological function.
hybrid operating suites. These will be equipped with the most advanced CT, angiography and MRI
Called the MAGNETOM Terra, Siemens’ 7T MRI machine will be accessible to all institutions in the TMC. The machine will be located within the Houston Methodist Research Institute’s Translational Imaging Core, in close proximity to the positron emission tomography (PET) facility and the cGMP-compliant cyclotron facility.
technology. Houston Methodist will also receive a dual PET and CT scanner that can illuminate specific biochemical activations in the brain to help advance research for patients with Alzheimer’s and other types of neurodegenerative diseases.
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HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
Precision Pharmaceutical Targeting Metastatic Breast Cancer with Unprecedented Efficiency Standard treatment for breast cancer is surgical tumor removal, followed by radiation and chemotherapy to eliminate remaining cancer cells. But what happens when the cells are resistant to these therapies or metastasize to hide in organs where treatment can’t reach them?
Lung and liver metastases are responsible for approximately 90 percent of breast cancer deaths every year in the United States. This is the challenge that researchers at Houston Methodist are tackling head on with iNPG-pDox. This novel drug thwarts the biological barriers and physical forces in the body, hitting its metastatic breast cancer targets with unparalleled cure rates in preclinical studies. Due to the body’s own defense mechanisms, most cancer drugs are absorbed into healthy tissue causing serious and often life-threatening side effects, and leaving only a fraction of the drug to actually reach the tumor. If those cancer cells
1992
2011
of Silicon Microparticle for Cancer Therapy
iNPG-pDox
Conception
2014
Discovery
2008
Development Multistage Delivery System
Patent Issued for Porous Silicon Manufacturing
2013
Patent Pending iNPG-pDox for Cancer Therapy
DoD Innovator Awards
CLOSING THE GAP
are therapy resistant, they are able to pump out any
models with triple negative breast cancer and lung
drug that finally does reach them. Mauro Ferrari, PhD,
and liver metastases. That’s equivalent to about
president and chief executive officer of the Houston
24 years of long-term survival following metastatic
Methodist Research Institute, and Haifa Shen, MD, PhD,
disease for people.
a lead scientist within the department of nanomedicine, have developed a solution.
The research institute has received a $16 million Department of Defense (DoD) grant to accelerate
Their solution is called polymeric doxorubicin (pDox),
development of iNPG-pDox and seek FDA clearance
a new version of a standard chemotherapy drug that
to do clinical trials for metastatic breast cancer.
has been altered to have a molecular switch that leaves
Jenny C. Chang, MD, Emily Herrmann Chair in Cancer
it ‘off’ until it is delivered to the area inside of cancer
Research and director of the Houston Methodist
cells where it can work. To help pDox bypass healthy
Cancer Center is the lead investigator for the
cells and biological barriers as it travels through the
first-in-human clinical trials of iNPG-pDox. Chang
body, they also created an injectable nanoparticle
has an established track record in early phase clinical
generator (iNPG) that can preferentially deliver the
trials and is the ideal partner for the nanomedicine
pDox to cancer cells. In preclinical studies, iNPG-pDox
research team to bring this promising new treatment
results in long-term cures for 50 percent of animal
to the clinic.
biggest challenge in medical research is successfully translating “ The a lab discovery into a viable treatment option for people. The cycle of a cure usually takes 17 years and costs billions of dollars. We’re going from drug creation to Phase I and II clinical studies in five years.
”
– Mauro Ferrari, PhD President and CEO, Houston Methodist Research Institute
2016
2015
Preclinical Validation
cGMP Manufacturing
2018
Clinical Trials
iNPG-pDox
iNPG-pDox
DoD Breakthrough Award National Cancer Institute - Center Grants
2021
Goal: Drug in Clinic
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HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
Artificial Intelligence Expedites Breast Cancer Risk Prediction Researchers at Houston Methodist have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) software that reliably interprets mammograms, assisting doctors with a quick and accurate prediction of breast cancer risk. The computer software intuitively translates patient charts into diagnostic information at 30 times human speed and with 99 percent accuracy.
Due to the false positive rate of mammography, the
Institute, and Jenny C. Chang, MD, Emily Herrmann Chair
American Cancer Society estimates that one out of every
in Cancer Research and director of the Houston Methodist
two healthy women having regular mammograms will be
Cancer Center, has developed AI software to evaluate
erroneously told that she might have cancer. The Houston
mammogram results. They used the software to scan 500
Methodist team has taken on this challenge to equip
patient charts, collect mammogram findings, combine them
doctors with better tools to increase the accuracy of
with pathology findings, and correlate the information with
mammography and decrease unnecessary breast biopsies.
breast cancer subtype.
The team led by Stephen T. Wong, PhD, PE, John S.
The accuracy and speed of predicting breast cancer risk
Dunn, Sr. Presidential Distinguished Chair in Biomedical
were astounding. Manual review of 50 charts takes two
Engineering at the Houston Methodist Research
clinicians 50-70 hours. The AI software reviewed 500 charts in a few hours, saving over 500 physician hours. “Accurate review of this many charts would be practically impossible without AI,� says Wong. And the most critical outcome was the 99 percent accuracy of predicting the presence of breast cancer. The team is working diligently
99% accuracy
to make this software ready for clinical use.
30 times human speed Decreases unnecessary biopsies
Stephen T. Wong, PhD, John S. Dunn Sr. Presidential Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Engineering
CLOSING THE GAP
Building Blocks for Bone Regeneration What began as tinkering with biomaterials has developed into a new biomimetic scaffold that regenerates large segments of bone and quickly repairs complex fractures and breaks that would usually result in disability or amputation. Ennio Tasciotti, PhD, director of the Center for Musculoskeletal Regeneration at Houston Methodist, has helped lead a multi-institutional team of researchers in the development of this regenerative technique known as bionanoscaffold (BNS). Tasciotti was awarded $6 million by the United
Together, these materials mimic the scaffold of bone.
States Department of Defense to partner with orthopedic
When implanted in animal models, the BNS attracts
surgeon Brad Weiner, MD, to take BNS technology from
immune and stem cells that remodel the area into
preclinical validation to first-in-human clinical trials over
functional tissues. Within six weeks, the fracture is
the next three years. The procedure can be performed
healed, the implanted materials resorbed by the
during a single operation and would not require the
body, and the bone is as strong as or stronger than
use of any additional hardware — a true revolution in
it was prior to the injury.
orthopedic surgery. A BNS is a strong biodegradable polymer shell that is infused with a collagen and mineral compound.
Bradley Weiner, MD, Orthopedics & Sports Medicine; Ennio Tasciotti, PhD, Director, Center for Musculoskeletal Regeneration
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HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
Journey of Houston Methodist Inventions
From Idea to Clinic
At Houston Methodist our research enterprise is built to address the unique challenges inherent to taking an idea and developing it into an effective clinical application. We identify promising discoveries early in their life cycle and accelerate them through the development process,
Diagnostic Test
positioning them to make the giant leap from idea to clinic.
Diagnostic test to enhance liver transplant outcomes Mark Ghobrial, MD, PhD, director of the Sherrie and Alan Conover Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation, and Xian Li, MD, PhD, director of the Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center, have invented a test that can predict the probability of developing sepsis, a common cause of liver transplant failure. This helps physicians avoid transplants that will ultimately be unsuccessful. The new test has shown 95% accuracy in preclinical studies and is now being tested in early phase clinical trials. If successful, the test has a potential impact of cost savings of over $20 billion annually. In addition to pioneering this diagnostic test, the Sherrie and Alan Conover Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation is involved in several new clinical trials that could change the way liver transplants are planned and managed in the future. The Conovers founded the center with a $6.5 million gift to support education and research that improves treatment of liver diseases.
Mark Ghobrial, MD, PhD, Sherrie and Alan Conover Chair for Excellence in Liver Transplantation; Xian Li, MD, PhD, director of the Immunobiology & Transplant Science Center
CLOSING THE GAP
Stroke is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Houston Methodist researchers Santosh Helekar, MD, PhD, and David Chiu, MD, have developed a noninvasive treatment using a wireless magnetic brain stimulation cap invented by Helekar and Henning Voss, PhD, of Weill Cornell Medical College. This portable device uses changing magnetic fields to stimulate multiple selected parts of the brain simultaneously. It shows promise in restoring motor function in stroke patients. The device is currently being tested in clinical trials. The inventors are exploring
Magnetic Cap
Magnetic cap for stroke
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licensing opportunities and are working towards submission for regulatory clearance. This wearable and affordable device runs on a small rechargeable battery and can be controlled by a smartphone app, making it suitable for in-home use.
AnatomicAligner
This could revolutionize treatment options for stroke patients.
AnatomicAligner James Xia, MD, PhD, and his team have developed a novel computer-based imaging and informatics platform called the AnatomicAligner to provide a more accurate and faster method for presurgical planning of craniomaxillofacial surgeries. The software is being verified and validated by a third-party expert. The team is also working towards seeking regulatory clearance and exploring commercialization strategies.
Recent studies suggest that vagus nerve stimulation and rehabilitation could potentially offer a protective effect in the treatment of severe stroke. Philip J. Horner, PhD, and Gavin W. Britz, MBBCh, MPH, MBA, are using this approach to develop a novel method to contain brain damage related to stroke. They have shown that vagus nerve stimulation decreases stroke infarct volume in preclinical studies and that targeted electrical stimulation can be used to activate the brain’s defensive response against stroke. They are developing a neural stimulation induced medicine therapy, or nSIM, for stroke patients. This nSIM device will be incorporated within an endotracheal tube in a manner that will not interfere with the standard-of-care procedures. Device design and prototyping is expected to be completed in the middle of 2018.
Neurostimulation therapy
Neurostimulation therapy for advanced stroke
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HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
Clinical Trials
Houston Methodist has the expertise to support all phases of clinical trials, completing the cycle of a cure and opening the door to the future.
CLINICAL TRIALS
T Cells Suppress Progression of Disease in ALS Patients
David Beers, PhD, Associate Research Professor of Neurology; Stanley H. Appel, MD, Peggy & Gary Edwards Distinguished Endowed Chair, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute
“ We assumed the T cells were detrimental, but it turns out the opposite is true: T cells are protective.
”
– Stanley H. Appel, MD
An interdisciplinary team of researchers and physicians at the
Populations of Tregs were also found to be altered in ALS
Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, led by Stanley H.
patients. Patients with rapidly progressing ALS had fewer
Appel, MD, director of the institute and chair of the Stanley
Tregs and consequently, a reduced ability to suppress the
H. Appel Department of Neurology, are investigating the
proliferation of other effector T cells. Surprisingly, when the
etiology and pathophysiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Tregs were expanded outside the body, they regained their
(ALS). The cause of ALS is elusive.
suppressor function, suggesting they could be reinfused to
More than 30 different genetic determinants of familial ALS
help fight ALS.
have been identified, but sporadic disease with no known
These findings have formed the basis of the first-in-human
mutations accounts for 90 to 95 percent of ALS cases.
FDA/IRB-approved phase I study in which an ALS patient’s
The Edwards ALS Research Laboratory hypothesized that the common culprit in ALS, and a potential target for therapeutic intervention, is neuroinflammation, which is caused by innate immune microglia and adaptive immune T cells. Researchers David Beers, PhD, and Jenny Henkel, PhD, developed an ALS mouse model without T cells, thinking the models would have less neuroinflammation and be protected from developing ALS. Instead, ALS progression worsened, and they discovered that the T cells were protective. In fact,
own Tregs are expanded and then reinfused. The Tregs were reinfused at two different phases of disease – at an early stage and a later stage. Early results showed that reinfusions were safe and well-tolerated. Following infusions, Jason Thonhoff, MD, PhD found that ALS disease progression was slowed during the time of infusions. The trial is a collaboration with Merit Cudkowicz, MD at the Massachusetts General Hospital. The study is sponsored by ALSFindingaCure®, and funded by the Leandro P. Ruzzuto Foundation and GE.
a specific subpopulation of T cells called regulatory T cells
Appel’s ALS patients are the driving force behind the team
(Tregs) that are known to stifle inflammation were able to
and their research. “After all of our hard work over many
suppress ALS progression. Transplanting Tregs into the ALS
years, we are excited about the opportunity to benefit our
models dramatically slowed disease and prolonged survival.
very deserving ALS patients.”
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HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
Pioneering Research in
Heart Valve Replacement The Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center team, led by Alan Lumsden, MD, is a leader in performing minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. Heart center surgeons Michael J. Reardon, MD and Neal Kleiman, MD are pioneering new and better valve replacement procedures in four national multicenter clinical trials.
Michael J. Reardon, MD, Allison Family Distinguished Chair of Cardiovascular Research, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery
As we age, the valves of the heart can narrow (stenosis) or develop closing defects (regurgitation). This valve disease carries a risk of stroke, heart failure, and even death. Replacing faulty valves can be done surgically or with minimally invasive transcatheter procedures. In transcatheter procedures, new valves are inserted through small incisions and delivered to the heart through arteries. Reardon and Kleiman have shown that TAVR improves valve performance and reduces recovery time.
CLINICAL TRIALS
Medtronic CoreValve US Pivotal and SURTAVI Clinical Trials Reardon is principal investigator on two CoreValve trials, working closely with collaborator Kleiman to compare the efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Representing the national Pivotal trial consortium at the American College of Cardiology 2016 annual meeting, Reardon reported that in the U.S. Pivotal randomized trial, CoreValve TAVR procedures improved valve performance.
Neal Kleiman, MD, Professor of Cardiology at the DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, holding a CoreValve Evolut R device
The trial also showed lower mortality and stroke rates than SAVR for high risk patients. The SURTAVI trial published by Reardon and Kleiman in the New England Journal of Medicine, studied a cohort of 1746 intermediate risk patients at 87 sites across the U.S. They showed that CoreValve TAVR had better valve performance and lower risk of stroke at 30 days than SAVR with similar survival rates for intermediate risk patients.
Medtronic CoreValve Evolut R US Clinical Trial Abbott MitraClip COAPT Trial Principal investigator Kleiman and co-investigator Reardon are also collaborating on the CoreValve Evolut R US trial and the Cardiovascular Outcomes Assessment of the MitraClip Percutaneous Therapy (COAPT) trial. They are comparing the current CoreValve to the next generation CoreValve Evolut R TAVR device, which is smaller and has a delivery system that allows recapture Stephen H. Little, MD, John S. Dunn Chair in Clinical Cardiovascular Research and Education at the DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center holding a MitraClip
and replacement for improved positioning. They are also testing the new MitraClip device, working closely with cardiologist Stephen H. Little, MD, for catheter-based mitral valve repair in patients that are not candidates for surgery.
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CLINICAL TRIALS
Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Immunotherapy to Enter Phase I Clinical Trials Center for Inflammation & Epigenetics Director Rongfu Wang, PhD, and Cancer Center Director Jenny C. Chang, MD, received $4 million from the Department of Defense to take a promising new therapy into clinical trials.
This therapy trains the immune system to safely and selectively target just breast cancer cells without affecting healthy tissue. Triple negative breast cancer is non-responsive to conventional chemotherapy and radiation, making it the most lethal form of breast cancer.
Left: Jenny C. Chang, MD, Emily Herrmann Chair in Cancer Research and Director, Houston Methodist Cancer Center; Right: Rongfu Wang, PhD, Director, Center for Inflammation & Epigenetics
EDUCATION
EDUCATION
Training Tomorrow’s Medical Innovators At Houston Methodist, our mission is to find solutions for the health care challenges of today and nurture innovations through the cycle of a cure for the future. We need an international health care workforce that can make this vision a reality. That is a key focus of our education programs and partnerships. We are committed to building transformative education at the intersections and gaps between disciplines. The Mentored Clinical Research Training Program with Weill Cornell Medicine trains early career clinicians to do clinical research. The EnMed program with Texas A&M University trains physician engineers to look at clinical challenges through a dual lens. The Masters in Clinical Translation Management trains professionals in all sectors to navigate innovations through the cycle of a cure. We are committed to excellence in our foundational programs at Houston Methodist. Our residencies, fellowships, research doctorate program, and continuing education programs in medicine, research, nursing and pharmacy attract more than 25,000 learners from around the world every year. I invite you to explore our programs, learn about our partnerships, and meet some of our pioneering graduates on the pathway to a cure.
Timothy B. Boone, MD, PhD Chair, Department of Urology Designated Institutional Officer, Houston Methodist Hospital Professor of Urology and Co-Director, Institute for Academic Medicine Professor and Associate Dean, Texas A&M College of Medicine, Houston Campus Professor and Associate Dean, Weill Cornell Medical College
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HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
Bringing Specialty Care to Communities HOUSTON METHODIST COMMUNITY SCHOLARS PROGRAM For those who lack medical insurance or access to affordable health care, having a chronic medical condition that requires long-term specialist care is a daunting prospect. These patients often fall through the cracks in the health care system, unable to find specialist care they can afford.
2013 – 2017
The Houston Methodist Community Scholars Program was conceived to help bridge this gap and to meet a growing need for affordable specialist care in the greater Houston community. The program started in 2013, with generous
2,649 PATIENTS
philanthropic investment from the Cullen Foundation. The goal of the program is to provide specialty medical care to the uninsured and the underserved in the communities they live in. The program also allows fellows and residents – under the guidance of senior physician mentors – the opportunity to complete a portion
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RESIDENTS/FELLOWS
5
of their clinical rotations in community clinics. The program provides a truly unique learning experience for the selected fellows and residents, called scholars. Treating a patient population that is mostly underfunded pushes the scholars to find creative ways of providing quality care while staying within the financial means of the patient. In addition to teaching
COMMUNITY CLINICS
future clinicians how to provide specialty care at a nominal cost, the program
San Jose Clinic, Legacy
also prepares them to practice medicine in a multicultural society. Over the
Community Health, HOPE Clinic,
course of the program, the scholars are evaluated by their mentors during
Denver Harbor Vecino and El Centro de Corazon
every community clinic visit, providing on-the-spot training and learning opportunities.
EDUCATION
“ By training and mentoring the next generation of clinicians
to provide cost effective and high quality medical care, we can have a lasting impact on patient care and outcomes in the United States and the world over.
”
The scholars are also expected to take ownership of a particular patient’s care for an entire year, allowing for continuity of care. Since its inception in 2013, the Houston Methodist Community Scholars Program has provided much needed specialty care in the areas of nephrology, endocrinology, neurology, cardiology, ophthalmology, pulmonology, hematology/oncology, urology and uro-gynecology. In December 2014, a transformational gift from Occidental Petroleum helped double the size of the program and established the Occidental Petroleum/Houston Methodist Scholar Award to recognize an outstanding fellow or resident. Trevor M.
PROFILE
– Timothy B. Boone, MD, PhD Professor of Urology Co-Director, Institute for Academic Medicine Houston Methodist
Patricia Mejia Osuna, MD Patricia Mejia Osuna, MD completed her internal medicine residency and endocrinology fellowship at Houston Methodist and joined the Houston Methodist Community Scholars Program. Her experiences inspired her to turn down multiple job offers and accept a position as the Legacy Community Health Clinic’s first staff endocrinologist. There she provides quality care for medically underserved populations in the Houston community. Mejia Osuna graduated cum laude from the Escuela de Medicina Ignacio A. Santos in Monterrey, Mexico, with clerkships at Yale and Baylor College of Medicine.
Burt, EdD, vice president of education administration
During medical school, Mejia Osuna dedicated time to many
at Houston Methodist, said, “For many patients who
medical community service projects including COMUNI-TEC
have limited to no options, the Houston Methodist
2011. The opportunity to work with the Houston Methodist
Community Scholars Program has provided access
Community Scholars program enabled her to explore
to expert specialists while allowing the next generation
pathways to provide specialty care medicine to those in
of physicians to train from veterans in their fields.”
most need in the Houston community.
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HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
HOUSTON METHODIST MEDICAL EDUCATION
Houston Methodist Hospital trains more than 12,000 medical students and physicians each year through medical student rotations, residency and fellowship programs, MITIE procedural skills SM
training and continuing medical education courses. Our 230 medical students work with inpatient teams and one-on-one with subspecialists during rotations in general surgery, family medicine, internal medicine, and orthopedic surgery. Houston Methodist trains more than 300 residents and fellows annually in 40 programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and six Graduate Medical Education Committee-sponsored programs.
GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS Cardiology Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology Advanced Interventional Cardiology* Cardiovascular Disease Cardiovascular Imaging* Clinical Cardiology Electrophysiology Interventional Cardiology Dermatology Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Primary Care Family Medicine Primary Care Sports Medicine Internal Medicine Internal Medicine Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Gastroenterology Hematology Oncology Nephrology Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine Neurosciences Neurology Neurological Surgery Clinical Neurophysiology Neuro-Imaging* Neuromuscular Medicine Vascular Neurology
Obstetrics and Gynecology Obstetrics and Gynecology Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Ophthalmology Neuro-Ophthalmology (Texas Medical Board Approved) Orthopedic Surgery Orthopedic Surgery Orthopedic Adult Reconstructive Surgery Orthopedic Surgery Sports Medicine Orthopedic Spine Surgery (Texas Medical Board Approved) Pathology Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine Breast Gynecologic Pathology Clinical Informatics Cytopathology Hematology Pathology HLA (Joint MD Anderson Program) Molecular Genetic Pathology Neuropathology Selective Pathology – Hematopathology Selective Pathology – Ophthalmic Pathology Selective Pathology – Surgical Pathology Radiology Diagnostic Radiology Breast Imaging*
EDUCATION
Surgery General Surgery Plastic Surgery Abdominal Multi-Organ Transplantation* Surgical Critical Care
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Vascular Surgery Integrated Vascular Surgery Vascular Surgery *Non-ACGME program
Urology Urology Continence, Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, and Neurourology*
Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
University of Pennsylvania
UCSF Medical Center Stanford Health Care
University of California San Diego
Our residents and fellows join Houston Methodist from throughout the US, and go on to prestigious fellowship opportunities at institutions including Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Emory University
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HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
MENTORED CLINICAL RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAM
The Mentored Clinical Research Training Program, a collaborative initiative between Weill Cornell Medicine and Houston Methodist, trains early-career physicians in clinical research practices. The program provides participants with an introduction to the foundations of clinical research, including research design and methodologies, data management and analysis, and the regulatory process. As part of the program, physicians and senior fellows prepare an IRB-submission-ready clinical research proposal and submit it to an external funding agency for consideration. Mentor-guided development of individual clinical research project proposals continues following the workshop, and experienced clinical researchers at Weill Cornell and Houston Methodist provide support while participants progress in their
Rose Khavari, MD In 2015, Rose Khavari, MD became the first recipient of the Clinician Scientist Scholar Fellowship at Houston Methodist and now leads a team of clinician
Eric Salazar, MD, PhD
PROFILE
PROFILE
clinical research projects.
Eric Salazar, MD, PhD completed his anatomic and clinical pathology residency, and blood banking and transfusion medicine
researchers in the Neurourology
fellowships as chief resident
and Translational Urology Clinic
and then chief fellow in the
to advance the treatment and care of patients
Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine
experiencing bladder dysfunction. Khavari was named
at Houston Methodist. He was appointed assistant
a 2016 American Urological Association/European
professor of pathology and genomic medicine and
Association of Urology Academic Exchange Program
began the MCRTP program in 2017 to advance his
Scholar. As part of this program, Khavari attended the
research in transfusion medicine and coagulation.
2016 EAU Annual Meeting in Munich, Germany, and
Salazar received his MD from Weill Cornell Medical
also visited hospitals in the UK, Belgium, Italy, and
College and his PhD in pharmacology from the
Germany to collaborate on research projects, observe
Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences
urologic procedures and attend staff activities and
as part of the Tri-Institutional MD-PhD program in
clinics. Khavari also received a 2016 American Urological
New York City.
Association Early Career Achievement Showcase Award.
EDUCATION
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING MEDICAL SCHOOL AT HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL Reinventing Health Care by Engineering Medicine In 2016, Houston Methodist and Texas A&M embarked on an ambitious journey to reinvent the way health care is delivered. A joint program called EnMed was launched with the vision of training a new generation of physicians called physicianeers. The EnMed program will empower future physicians
will complete all the requirements for the MD degree along
to create engineering-based solutions for health care
with the credit hours required for a masters in engineering.
challenges. Rapidly translating these solutions to
They will be expected to invent something transformational
clinical practice, through experience gained in product
over the course of the program and take their invention to
development and commercialization, will be an integral
the marketplace.
part of the program. Classes will commence in the summer of 2019 with an integrated medical school-engineering curriculum. There will be an emphasis on research collaboration in areas like advanced interventional technologies, regenerative engineering, imaging and diagnostics, predictive analytics, innovative therapeutics and process engineering. Students enrolled in the EnMed program
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HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
RESEARCH DOCTORATE PROGRAMS
The Houston Methodist Research Institute has PhD and MD/PhD partnership programs with national and international universities to enable graduate students to do their thesis work at our Texas Medical Center campus in Houston. The research institute has affiliated joint programs with seven major academic institutions: the Chinese Academy of Sciences in China, Monterrey Tech in Mexico, Swansea University in the United Kingdom, Tsinghua University in China, the University of St. Thomas and the University of Houston in Houston, and the Weill Cornell Graduate
Joy Wolfram, PhD Joy Wolfram, PhD graduated in 2016 with a doctorate degree from the joint graduate
PROFILE
School of Medical Sciences in New York.
PROFILE
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Laura Pandolfi, PhD Laura Pandolfi, PhD received her bachelor´s degree in physics from Universita’ degli Studi di Perugia in
program established
Italy and her master’s
by the Chinese
degree in nuclear
Academy of Sciences and the Houston
physics from the University of Trieste in Italy.
Methodist Research Institute. Inspired
In 2016, she completed her PhD in material
by the battles of loved ones with cancer,
science and engineering at the University of
Wolfram chose the international program
Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing,
for the challenge and opportunity to do her
China, in collaboration with the Houston
thesis work in the fields of nanomedicine
Methodist Research Institute. Her research
and transport oncophysics with mentor
focused on developing biomaterials for tissue
Mauro Ferrari, PhD, president and CEO
engineering applications with mentor Ennio
of the Houston Methodist Research
Tasciotti, PhD. Pandolfi was selected as one
Institute. As a graduate fellow, Wolfram
of six Fresenius Kabi bGlobal trainees from a
learned to speak Mandarin, published
pool of over 700 international candidates and
36 high impact research articles, and
was assigned to Hong Kong operations. She
was selected by Amgen from a pool of
is now Manager of Business Development
3,000 program alumni as one of their
and Key Accounts for Fresenius Kabi in
top ten most promising up-and-coming
Germany, overseeing development of product
scientists in the world. Wolfram will
pipeline capacity in the European market.
continue her research as faculty at the Mayo Clinic.
EDUCATION
MASTER IN CLINICAL TRANSLATION MANAGEMENT
The Master in Clinical Translation Management program provides a solid understanding of how to bring products to market in the biotechnology industry. Students learn how to assess a product’s commercial potential, evaluate and act on opportunities that arise in the biotech field, and navigate the path of clinical translation. Designed for working professionals, the one year program with four immersive residency weeks is offered by the University of St. Thomas Cameron School of Business and the Houston Methodist Research Institute.
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HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE
HOUSTON METHODIST INSTITUTE FOR TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION & EDUCATION
Houston Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation & Education (MITIE ) is an SM
innovative simulated clinical care environment that provides hands-on procedural skills training and develops evidence-based processes and management practices. MITIESM is equipped with a suite of research operating rooms and procedural skills labs to test newly developed technologies, devices and procedures in a safe, simulated clinical care setting. Once the efficacy of a new technology or procedure is proven, practicing health care professionals can hone their technique for safe adoption of the new technologies, and then develop processes and management practices to ensure smooth transition of the innovations to the clinic.
Office of Communications and External Relations | ADMN-EXEC-18-00198 | 02.2018 | 1000 Editor: R. Hall | Lead Writer: M. Muralidhar | Designer: D. Huang | Photography: S. Jones & H. Jaime Contributing Writers: G. Smith, L. Merkl, H. Pietsch, T. Ellington
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