Texas A&M University System Health Science Center Inaugurates First President

The newest health science center in the state of Texas, and a new era in distributed, coordinated health care for Texans in communities large and small, officially began as The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center inaugurated its first president, Dr. Jay Noren, on November 4, 1999.

Dr. Jay Noren (left) and Texas A&M University Chancellor Howard Graves.

The inauguration was held at the George Bush Presidential Conference Center in College Station, Texas.

In his inauguration speech, Dr. Noren noted that the new A&M System Health Science Center will be "an assertive, forward-thinking and economically viable entity in the heart of Main Street, Texas. We won't replace the traditional health science centers, but complement them . . . our new model is essential - and in some ways ahead of its time."

The A&M System Health Science Center is designed to apply the land-grant university tradition, with its extension approach to outreach and community service, to health care and health education. It serves the state as a distributed, statewide institution which is present in multiple communities throughout Texas.

Leaders from the A&M System, the health-education community and the health professions took part in the inaugural activities. Participants in the ceremony included Don Powell, chairman of The Texas A&M University System board of regents; Howard Graves, chancellor of the Texas A&M University System; Dr. Barry B. Thompson, A&M System chancellor emeritus; and, representing statewide health science centers, The University of Texas System's executive vice chancellor for health affairs, Dr. Charles B. Mullins. Dr. Nancy Dickey, immediate past president of the American Medical Association, professor of family medicine at the A&M System Health Science Center College of Medicine and director of the Leadership in Medicine program at that institution, served as master of ceremonies.

The Health Science Center includes the following institutions which are dedicated to meeting the highest standards in health education, outreach and research throughout the state of Texas:

• Baylor College of Dentistry (Dallas)
• College of Medicine (College Station and Temple)
• Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (College Station)
• Institute of Biosciences and Technology (Houston)
• School of Rural Public Health (College Station)

- Kay Kendall

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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