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Karen K. Kaplan,
Director of University
Communications & Publications

Distinctions Editor
Jenna C. Taylor

August 2008
Table of Contents

The World's Best - The Willerson Years Celebrated

Honoring Dr. Willerson and celebrating his contributions to the university

Nancy and James T. Willerson, M.D., pose with incoming University of Texas Health Science Center President Larry Kaiser, M.D.

Outgoing UT Houston Health Science Center President James T. Willerson, M.D., stayed to say goodbye to every last guest at the event held in his honor at the River Oaks Country Club.

Texas Heart Institute founder Denton Cooley, M.D., and fellow cardiologist Michael DeBakey, M.D., were among the notables at the event saluting Willerson’s tenure at the health science center.

University of Texas Health Science Center President James T. Willerson, M.D., right, greets faculty, staff and friends as they enter the River Oaks Country Club on June 11. Some 450 people attended this special event to pay tribute to Dr. Willerson.

James T. Willerson, M.D., gladly accepts a congratulatory kiss from his daughter during the River Oaks event.

Port Authority Commissioner Elyse and former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier were among the many community leaders in attendance at the June 11 event.

President Willerson grants a request for an autograph from State Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr.

Lifetime Development Board member Beth Robertson, far right, presents yellow roses to James T. and Nancy Beamer Willerson.

UTHSC at Houston Development Board Pres. David Grimes, Randa Safady, Ph.D., vice chancellor for external relations at UT System, and Jan Duncan look at the keepsake book created to commemorate the event.

Kevin Dillon, M.B.A., C.P.A., EVP, chief oper. and fin. officer of the health science center, presented a framed certificate touting Dr. Willerson as the ''Billion Dollar Man'' for raising assets to more than $1 billion during his presidency.

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