PHOTO BY BRENT G. MATHIS
BizBIOSCIENCE
Saving Children Through Science
Dr. Fayez K. Ghishan’s Research a Regional Asset By Jay Gonzales As the bioscience industry gained a foothold in the region, an esteemed physician and world-renowned researcher has long devoted his career here to curing diseases and saving lives through science and medicine. Dr. Fayez K. Ghishan has served Tucson since 1995, working as a physician, a scientist, a researcher and a medical director leading efforts to cure and heal. Most recently, he was named medical director of the University of Arizona’s Clinical and Translational Sciences Research Center, where he oversees the center’s critical research and directs which projects get access to its top resources. It’s just one part of Ghishan’s significant role in the region’s burgeoning bioscience industry. His UArizona resume is extensive and distinguished: •
Chair, Department of Pediatrics
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Professor, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Physiology and Nutrition
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Fall 2021
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Fayez K. Ghishan, M.D., PANDA Endowed Director, Steele Children’s Research Center
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Physician-in-Chief, Diamond Children’s Medical Center
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Horace W. Steele Endowed Chair, Pediatric Research
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Alan and Janice Levin Family Endowed Professor, Pediatrics
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Medical Director, Clinical and Translational Sciences Research Center
Ghishan is perhaps most well-known to Tucsonans as the trailblazing force behind the Steele Children’s Research Center, a global leader in research and treatment of pediatric gastrointestinal disease whose mission was later expanded to include other critical research in children’s health. “Dr. Ghishan is a passionate advocate for children’s health and builds trust with his young patients and their families to deliver the best pediatric care,” said Dr. Michael Dake, senior VP for UArizona Health Sciences. “As
a professor of medicine in pediatrics, he shares his enthusiasm and knowledge with his students, and has mentored many early-career scientists who have become leaders in their specialties.” “I’ve been a doctor for 54 years, so my heart and my brain belong to the university,” Ghishan told BizTucson last year when he was named medical director of CATS Research Center. “When the university wants something, I need to always respond positively. “I have a vision of why I went to medicine,” he said. “My vision is to help patients. I can help them with my clinical skills or through research. That’s what I do. Vision without passion doesn’t work. I have passion for what I do.” His vision, when he was recruited to Tucson in 1995 from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, had three points of emphasis: recruiting top physicians, meeting clinical needs and establishing operations in translational research. continued on page 48 >>> www.BizTucson.com
