FROM THE PRESIDENT

What a year 2001 has been. Numerous memorable events have happened in the Texas Medical Center, many which will benefit those people coming to the TMC to seek the best in medical care for years to come.

This year, five Texas Medical Center institutions ranked among the nation’s best in the 12th annual edition of U.S. News & World Report’s "America’s Best Hospitals." The survey is designed to assist those seeking health care choose the best possible facility for their specific need. The level of care provided by the five recognized hospitals is unmatched in Houston, and in many cases, throughout the entire South or Southwest regions of the United States. The five recognized institutions are The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The Methodist Hospital, The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, Texas Children’s Hospital, and the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital.

Texas Medical Center cardiac care also achieved yet another milestone this year. For only the third time in the world, a complete artificial heart was transplanted into a patient at the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital. For more than 30 years, cardiac medical technology has been developing, leading to this important scientific breakthrough. Texas Heart Institute researchers, as well as researchers from other institutions around the nation, led the way to contribute to the artificial heart’s design.

A major event that cannot be overlooked was the flooding that happened in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Allison June 8 and 9. As the storm dropped a record amount of rainfall on the TMC campus, basements where critical power supplies were housed flooded, and hospitals temporarily lost lights, air conditioning and other vital electrical equipment. Thanks to the outpouring of support from health care professionals and volunteers, patients at all hospitals received uncompromised care, and not a single life was lost in the Texas Medical Center due to the flooding. No longer did institutions function as individuals. Instead, they shared patients, personnel and professional services.

Also of note, the Harris County Medical Society, to which more than 75 percent of all Houston-area physicians belong, became the nation’s largest medical society. The 8,650-member organization promotes the highest ethical medical standards and serves as an advocate for physicians and their patients. The society, which was established in 1903, has truly lived up to its mission.

Now that we are near the year’s end, I am pleased to acknowledge the Dec. 6 appointment of Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach as Director of the National Cancer Institute. Dr. von Eschenbach is a nationally recognized professor of urology and Center Director for the Genitourinary Cancers Program at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. We are honored that a cancer research professional from the Texas Medical Center has been honored with such a prestigious national post. Dr. von Eschenbach exemplifies the outstanding quality of leadership and talent for which the Texas Medical Center has become nationally and internationally recognized.

A sincere thank you goes out to the many people who have given their time and talents this past year to patient care, research and education in the Texas Medical Center. With the Texas Medical Center in a period of unprecedented growth and looking back on the past year, discovering what the future has in store should prove to be exciting.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2002.

E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/12_15_01/page_26.html