GIFT FROM THE HEART

A GIFT FROM THE HEART

Dr. William Zoghbi, who holds The Elkins Family Distinguished Chair in Cardiac Health at Houston Methodist, met his wife-to-be when they were both first-year medical students in war-torn Lebanon. He is now the chair of Houston Methodist’s nationally ranked Department of Cardiology and a past president of the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Huda Zoghbi, his wife, is a world-renowned neurobiologist and geneticist at Baylor College of Medicine and director of the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital. As leading physician-scientists, they are keenly aware of the philanthropic investments needed to attract top talent and drive medical advances. To that end, the Zoghbis recently established the William A. Zoghbi, M.D. Centennial Chair in Cardiovascular Health. The chair will support a distinguished faculty member in the Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center who focuses on clinical care, research and education in cardiovascular health. “My husband has worked tirelessly to build a first-rate cardiology program. He gives unconditionally and never thinks about himself,” says Dr. Huda Zoghbi. “His focus is always on helping trainees, mentoring young faculty and treating patients.” She is focused on others as well, particularly families with children dealing with neurological disorders. The neurogeneticist saw the devastating impact of these terrible diseases during her clinical training, and she felt compelled to research what caused them in hopes of developing new ways to manage and treat them. For her brilliant work, she received the 2017 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences.

As a leading cardiovascular imaging expert and the holder of an endowed position established by generous benefactors — whose relationship with Houston Methodist goes back to its founding a century ago — Dr. William Zoghbi says he understands the crucial role philanthropy plays in spurring medical innovation. “It is vitally important to have resources to recruit and retain stellar faculty,” he says. “That’s why the idea of making a major gift was brewing in the back of our minds.” The Zoghbis credit the generous matching Centennial Chair Challenge established by Paula and Joseph C. “Rusty” Walter III as a motivating factor for making their gift. They also believe they must train those who come after them. “Mentoring and developing our trainees is how we share knowledge,” says Dr. William Zoghbi. “It is a way to pass on the torch of knowledge and discovery.” His own training clearly shaped his career. He studied with notable Houston Methodist cardiovascular physician Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, who instilled a drive for excellence, and Dr. William L. Winters Jr., a master clinician who modeled excellent patient care. Dr. William Zoghbi also gained a passion for research under Dr. Miguel Quiñones, the Winters Family Distinguished Centennial Chair in Cardiovascular Education in honor of Christopher, William and Scott Winters.

“Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine we would be here,” he says. “We don’t think of ourselves as special. We’ve always just done the best we can in our fields to make a difference.” .......Dr. Huda Zoghbi was honored to help create an endowed chair that bears her husband’s name. “My husband is a source of personal and professional inspiration to me, and I was thrilled that we were able to establish this position in recognition of his impact,” she says.

DR. HUDA Y. ZOGHBI AND DR. WILLIAM A. ZOGHBI