Museum Renamed John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science
Honors Legendary Physician

The Museum of Health & Medical Science has officially changed its name to the John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science.

This action was taken by the museum’s board of trustees to honor Dr. McGovern for his longstanding support and dedication to the museum and its activities.

A formal naming ceremony will be held in the coming months to announce the change.

The museum, one of a few institutions in the country focused on quality health education for the general public and structured school groups, was conceived and actualized by the physicians and board members of the Harris County Medical Society. Dr. McGovern shared the vision of the museum’s founders, and was the lead donor in the museum’s capital campaign, which led to the opening of the Museum of Health & Medical Science on March 16, 1996. Prior to the museum’s construction, the medical society established an exhibit area in the Museum of Natural Science in 1969. The exhibit was named the Museum of Medical Science, and remained in the Museum of Natural Science until 1992.

"Dr. McGovern has dedicated his life to medicine and medical humanities," said Dr. William H. Fleming III, president of the Harris County Medical Society. "He helped make the dream of having a freestanding health museum in Houston become a reality. When the physicians of the Harris County Medical Society initiated the plans to create the museum, Dr. McGovern provided his support by becoming the lead donor in the capital campaign. It is very fitting that the museum is renamed after him."

Dr. George Alexander, museum president, said Dr. McGovern’s dedication and thoughtfulness extends far beyond the physical walls of the museum.

"Dr. McGovern has proven that there is no value higher than that of education and service to others, and we are forever grateful and indebted to him for his noble contributions and support," he said. "Renaming our institution is our tribute to a visionary who has positively impacted the museum and the city of Houston."

Dr. McGovern – physician, scholar, researcher, author, teacher, and founder of the John P. McGovern Foundation – has devoted his life to medicine, health promotion, disease prevention and education, with a special emphasis on the child and family. He founded the McGovern Allergy Clinic in 1956, which rapidly grew to become the largest allergy clinic in the nation. He has authored or co-authored more than 250 publications, and holds 17 professorships at colleges and universities. He has been awarded honorary degrees by 28 universities and colleges, and in 1969, he founded the American Osler Society to honor and recognize the contributions of Sir William Osler, the father of modern medicine.

Dr. McGovern said he feels the renaming of the museum in his honor is "the least deserved ... one of the most appreciated" of the many accolades he has received during his career, and added that he is "most grateful." He also acknowledged the contributions of Jim Hickox, who was the medical society’s executive vice president during the museum’s construction, and who was instrumental in securing the initial exhibits.

In addition to his other awards and honors, the Rotary Club of Houston recognized Dr. McGovern last year as the 2001 Distinguished Citizen of the Year for his contributions to the medical profession and the Houston community over a nearly 50-year span.

As a tribute to his good deeds, the museum is housed in the John P. McGovern Building. The museum is home to the Amazing Body Pavilion, an exhibit where visitors can take a larger-than-life walking tour through the human body. The 7,400-square-foot exhibit contains Texas-sized sculpted models of organs, including a 10-foot brain; a 22-foot long backbone; a mouth large enough to hold a small automobile; and a colossal eyeball measuring six feet in diameter. The pavilion also includes dozens of hands-on exhibits, science stations and interactive displays. Visitors of all ages may explore how each system of the body works and how to stay healthy.

In commenting about the renaming of the museum to honor Dr. McGovern, Randy Ray, the museum’s executive director, said, "I could not imagine a more appropriate opportunity for us to thank Dr. McGovern for the many things he has done for this museum and for our community. In a very real sense, Dr. McGovern has devoted his life to caring for others; through his career as a physician as well as through the good works he has accomplished through his leadership and generosity."

The museum also offers video presentations, live hands-on science classes and demonstrations, traveling exhibitions, summer camps, and other programs for schools, groups, families and adults. The George and Barbara Bush Grand Hall, DeBakey Learning Centers and McGovern Theater showcase educational programs, public lectures and health films.

Since opening, almost 900,000 children, teachers and researchers have experienced hands-on learning about the human body and the world of medical science, making the John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science the most visited health museum in the United States.

The museum is open to the public Tues. through Sun., and is free to the public every Thurs. from 4 to 7 p.m. Call (713) 521-1515, or visit http://www.mhms.org.

The John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science is an interactive and entertaining science experience for all ages that promotes understanding and appreciation of the human body, mind and spirit while inspiring a lifelong commitment to health and wellness.

Since its grand opening in March 1996, the museum has served almost 900,000 visitors, making it the most visited medical museum in the United States in 2001.

Amazing Body Pavilion is the main exhibit area focusing on the amazing human body and how to keep it healthy. Designed as a walking tour through a giant-sized human body, the pavilion includes larger-than-life models of the components of the human body with more than 80 hands-on exhibits and interactive science stations. Visitors of all ages may explore how each system of the body works and have fun while understanding their role in keeping their bodies happy and healthy.

Discovery Carts & Mini Classes are very visual, live presentations and classes on some of the "Did you know?" questions about the human body such as the senses, lungs, heart and the digestive system. Offered by museum volunteers and staff, they encourage interactive learning by stimulating questions and interactive involvement on the part of the visitor.

McGovern Theater is a multi-purpose theatre that showcases educational films, lectures and presentations such as live dissections, educational films and theater shows for school groups and public visitors.

On-site Education is the guiding force behind the museum’s mission. More than 52,000 students and teachers in grades pre-K through 12 participated in the Field Trip Program in 2001. All classes are coordinated with state standards of learning as well as with the school system curriculum.

Partnerships with area school districts such as HISD provide school field trips and educator workshops that contribute to the effort to improve science education in Texas. Houston Urban-Learning Initiatives in a Networked Community is a program designed to improve mathematics, science and technology instruction in public schools. The museum partners with HU-LINC to accomplish this goal by participating in program development and by providing free family field trips to the museum.

Outreach programs like Health Adventure and the Bod Squad’s Perry Medix puppet theater program allowed almost 42,000 children the opportunity to experience the museum on-site at their schools and community centers in 2001. Health Adventure is a mobile program that offers a series of five interactive and educational presentations that promote healthy living through basic health, nutrition and safety classes for the younger students. Perry Medix and the Sirens is a live, interactive puppet show that promotes basic safety messages for kindergarten and elementary students.

Oasis is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for adults age 55 and older. The museum partners with this group by offering classes and programs that cater to their interests and needs.

The Harris County Medical Society, which conceived and actualized the concept that led to the formation of the John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science, is the professional association for physicians in Harris County. Established in 1903 to promote the highest level of ethical medical standards and to serve as an advocate for physicians and their patients, HCMS is the nation’s largest county medical society. Current membership includes approximately 8,650 physicians and medical students, or more than 80 percent of Houston-area physicians.

Over the years, HCMS has founded several nonprofit organizations to meet the needs of the public and the medical profession, including the following initiatives:

• Concern over blood shortages and blood safety prompted HCMS to form the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, in cooperation with the regional blood banking community, in 1974. Its mission is to partner with the community to help save and sustain lives by providing a safe supply of blood, blood components and related services to more than 200 health care institutions in the Houston area.
• In 1949, HCMS combined the collections of its Houston Academy of Medicine Library with the Baylor College of Medicine Library to form the Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library. One of the leading biomedical libraries in the nation, the HAM-TMC Library serves as one regional medical library for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, South Central Region, with responsibility for the library needs of health professionals in the five-state region of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas.
• In response to the demand for accurate health information and education from the public, the Medical Society initiated a fund-raising campaign in the early 1990s to build a free-standing health education facility, now known as the John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science. The museum opened its doors in May 1996. It is now the most attended museum of its kind in the nation. The museum is a mandatory part of the curriculum for Houston Independent School District fifth-grade students.
• In 1970, the Harris County Medical Society drafted the ordinance that established the Houston Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services division. The Medical Society has continued to serve with the fire chief and the Houston Health Department director as an advisor to the EMS division since its inception.

The Medical Society also conducts a variety of outreach programs, including:

• Interprofessional Drug Education Alliance program, in which HCMS partners with the Houston Bar Association to educate elementary school children about the medical and legal consequences of drug and alcohol abuse;
• D-Tag Tattoo Removal, in which HCMS partners with the city of Houston to remove tattoos from former gang members so they can re-enter mainstream society; and
• Urban Scout Physicals, in which HCMS physicians provide underprivileged Boy Scouts with physicals so they can attend camp.

The Medical Society also provides a number of services for physicians and their offices. The society holds free reimbursement consultations, free or low-cost continuing medical education courses, and business expos.The society also acts as an advocate in the state and federal legislature for bills that protect patients and physicians’ ability to treat their patients.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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