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| Vol. 22, No. 16 |
| September 1, 2000 |
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New Interim President at The University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center
By RONDA WENDLER Texas Medical Center News
Dr. James T. Willerson, an internationally recognized cardiologist and chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine at The University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, was appointed UT-Houston's interim president Sept. 1. Dr. Willerson succeeds Dr. M. David Low, who announced in July that he was stepping down after 10 years in the position. Throughout his career, Dr. Willerson has earned numerous professional awards and honors and held many distinguished appointments in medical research and clinical care. (For more on Dr. Willerson's accomplishments, see related articles on pages 10-11). The secret to his success is summed up in a quote by Calvin Coolidge that Dr. Willerson prominently displays in his office: "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan `Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."-Calvin Coolidge, 1894
Q What do you see as the most important challenges UT-Houston faces in the immediate future? A Enhancing our research in molecular genetics is a major priority. Our improved insight into the role played by genetics in human disease will enable us to better prevent and cure those diseases. To do this, we will continue recruiting additional outstanding scientists, and we will build a new research facility that will allow the expansion of Medical School research and house the university's Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases. We will continue to improve our clinical capability to care for patients with many different diseases both medically and surgically in today's very difficult healthcare environment. We shall work to further enhance the research and educational efforts at the School of Public Health, the School of Nursing and the Dental Branch, and continue to provide top-rate educational programs for students at all Health Science Center schools. Finally, in order to meet the educational and discovery needs of the university, we must further address and improve some of our business practices. This is a very important present concern for our university and Medical School and one we must have major improvements in very soon. Q Genetics research seems to be a top priority. Are there other areas of research that will be highlighted at the Health Science Center? A Our plans are to focus on understanding the basic cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the development of human diseases that we presently cannot cure or prevent. Molecular genetics is the area of research that we will highlight and develop to the highest possible level. Q Do you plan to promote collaboration among scientists? A Absolutely. I look forward to a day when the various universities and hospitals in the Texas Medical Center work together to offer educational, research and clinical care programs that allow us to compete with the rest of the world, instead of competing against one another. Q What is it like now to be a research scientist? A It's a very exciting time. Opportunities have never been greater. The future impact of medical discovery, particularly as it relates to molecular genetics is enormous, and there is a real opportunity to prevent and cure human diseases that presently cause premature morbidity and mortality. Funding is always competitive, but the very best researchers always do well. Q How does the university plan to recruit top-notch students and faculty to its various schools? A Excellence attracts excellence. By offering the very best academic programs, we will attract the very best students and faculty. Q Now that you are interim president of UT Health Science Center, will you continue to function as Chairman of the Medical School's Internal Medicine Department? A No, Dr. Frank Arnett has been named interim chairman for the Internal Medicine Department. Q Suppose the permanent presidency were offered to you. Would you consider accepting? A It would be premature to even think about that at this point. Q On a personal note, your mother was an anesthesiologist and your father was a general practitioner. Did this have an effect on your decision to go into medicine? A Yes, definitely. When I was a child growing up in San Antonio, I accompanied my mother to the hospital at night and on weekends. I made house calls with my father. My parents loved what they did. I thought I would, too, and I have. I never considered doing anything else but medicine. Q I understand that as an undergraduate student at The University of Texas at Austin, you were elected to the UT Swimming Hall of Fame. A As a senior, I placed 2nd in the 1500 freestyle, and second in the 440 freestyle, with first place in both events going to an Olympian from South America. I also swam in the 400 yard freestyle relay my senior year, and my finish time set a Southwest Conference record that stood for several years. I qualified to go to the nationals that year and declined in favor of concentrating on academics. I was very close to qualifying for inclusion in Phi Beta Kappa and wanted to pursue that goal, which I did manage to achieve. Q You were born in Lampassas, grew up in San Antonio, and attended The University of Texas at Austin and Baylor College of Medicine. You have framed maps of Texas on your walls and Texas artwork throughout your office. You left Texas to do your internship and residency at Harvard, but you came back. Do you have a special tie to Texas? A When I was at Harvard, they invited me to remain, and I did spend six months on the staff at Massachusetts General, one of the major teaching hospitals at Harvard, but I wanted to come back to Texas. My home is here, and I love everything about it. I can proudly say that I have a pair of cowboy boots and a Stetson hat.
©2006 Texas Medical Center E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/09_01_00/page_01.html |
