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Karen K. Kaplan,
Director of University
Communications & Publications

Distinctions Editor
Jenna C. Taylor

June 2008
Table of Contents

George McMillan Fleming Center for Healthcare Management Hosts First Education Forum

Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning Osama Mikhail, Ph.D., left, will lead the new George McMillan Fleming Center for Healthcare Management at The University of Texas School of Public Health. The center was established by George Matthews Fleming, center, in honor of his father. The first event for the center was a panel discussion featuring former CEOs from the Texas Medical Center: Larry Mathis, second from left; Michael Jhin, second from right; and Dan Wilford, right.

Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning Osama Mikhail, Ph.D., left, will lead the new George McMillan Fleming Center for Healthcare Management at The University of Texas School of Public Health. The center was established by George Matthews Fleming, center, in honor of his father. The first event for the center was a panel discussion featuring former CEOs from the Texas Medical Center: Larry Mathis, second from left; Michael Jhin, second from right; and Dan Wilford, right.

Nearly before the ink dried on the agreement to establish the health science center's newest health care education program (see related story on page 1), the George McMillan Fleming Center for Healthcare Management at The University of Texas School of Public Health (SPH) held its first instructional forum.

Following the announcement of the creation of the Fleming Center on April 15, a panel discussion, "Bridging the Divide: from Instructional Health to Community Well-being," was hosted at SPH. Comprising former chief executive officers of health care systems within the Texas Medical Center, the forum allowed participants to ask questions and hear the three former hospital chiefs reflect on their tenures and shared insight on everything from managed care to mergers.

Panelists were:

  • Michael Jhin, former CEO, St. Luke's Episcopal Health System for 14 years.
  • Larry Mathis, who spent 26 years at The Methodist Hospital System, the last 14 as CEO.
  • Dan Wilford, past CEO of Memorial Hermann Healthcare System and its nine subsidiary corporations.

Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning Osama Mikhail, Ph.D., will lead the new center and is working to establish courses and line up faculty. The center will initially focus on strengthening the management curriculum at the School of Public Health and connecting to health care institutions at the Texas Medical Center.

"There are others locally that have preceded us but none have done it in the context of a public health degree," Mikhail explained. "We are positioning ourselves to have a broader view incorporating health policy and community well-being."

The George McMillan Fleming Center for Healthcare Management will also support management research and collaborate with sister schools in Austin, including the Law School.

"We also hope to have an advisory board comprised of executives in the Texas Medical Center to keep us relevant," Mikhail added.

At least two panel discussions per year, similar to the one held April 15, are planned. A panel in the fall semester will host executives currently working at various institutions in the TMC.

"It is imperative for successful health care leaders to understand not only health care management, but many aspects of law, the economy, health policy, business, finance, real estate, social sciences, legislative affairs, and much more," said James T. Willerson, M.D., health science center president, during the April 15 event.

By Wendy K. Mohon, Institutional Advancement


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