The Leader Update - World’s Best – The Willerson Years Celebrating the Progress of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston During the Presidency of James T. Willerson, M.D.

University of Texas Health Science Center President James T. Willerson, M.D., greets faculty, staff, students and friends of the health science center as they enter the River Oaks Country Club. Nearly 500 people attended this special event to pay tribute to Dr. Willerson and his impact on the health science center and community.

University of Texas Health Science Center
President James T. Willerson, M.D., greets faculty,
staff, students and friends of the health science
center as they enter the River Oaks Country Club.
Nearly 500 people attended this special event to
pay tribute to Dr. Willerson and his impact on the
health science center and community.

» More Photos

With enduring respect, a little humor and a few tears, faculty, staff, students and friends of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston celebrated the progress made by the health science center during the presidency of James T. Willerson, M.D., and showed their appreciation to the man who led the way.

During a June 11 special event hosted by the Development Board for the UT Health Science Center at Houston, hundreds of people gathered together to celebrate the university and thank President James T. Willerson, M.D., for his leadership and guidance during his tenure as president.

Beth Robertson, life member of the UT Development Board and long-time friend of Dr. Willerson, listed a few of the achievements made during the Willerson Years. During Dr. Willerson’s seven years (2001-2008) at the health science center endowments grew from 207 to 361, providing 59 new scholarships, and 55 faculty endowments, including 31 professorships and 24 chairs. Additionally more than $700 million of additional funds has been secured for new educational and research programs, buildings, and recruitment of outstanding scientists from philanthropy, the Texas Legislature, The University of Texas System Board of Regents, and other sources from 2001 to 2008. Dr. Willerson’s leadership was vital to this overall success.

“During the time Dr. Willerson has been president we have increased the number and quality of students at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. He has really increased the stature and visibility of the research programs for both faculty and students. We’re all very grateful to him for all that he’s done.”

— George Stancel, Ph.D.
Dean
UT Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

“In the seven years Dr. Willerson has led the UT Health Science Center at Houston, the institution has taken off. I am proud to have worked with Dr. Willerson during this unbelievable era of growth. Thank you, Jim, for being first and foremost a great friend and the world’s best.”

— U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison

“Jim, on behalf of the state of Texas, I want to thank you and Nancy for making Houston and Texas a better place to live, raise a family and grow a business.”

—Texas Lt. Governor David Dewhurst

“I have had the privilege of knowing Dr. Willerson for over 10 years; he has been a role model to me and a lot of other clinicians. The only problem is that it’s hard to keep up with everything he has done: teaching, seeing patients, leading, editing. I want to thank you, Dr. Willerson, for everything you’ve done.”

— Dong Kim, M.D.
Professor, Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery
UT Medical School
Director, Mischer Neuroscience Institute
Memorial Hermann – TMC

“Dr. Willerson, thank you for leading our university forward to meet the needs of all people, including those of us with disabilities.”

— Lex Frieden
Professor, Health Informatics and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
UT School of Health Information Sciences

“Dr. Willerson, we know you love the institution and that we can always count on you in the future to help us. We commit to you that we will continue building on the excellent legacy you have left with us.”

— Patricia Starck, D.S.N.
John P. McGovern Distinguished Professor
Dean
UT School of Nursing

Throughout the ceremony speakers shared memories and milestones from the Willerson years. The evening’s host was Randa Safady, Ph.D., vice chancellor for External Relations at UT System.

Speakers included U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (via video); Houston Mayor Bill White; Lt. Governor David Dewhurst; Michael DeBakey, M.D., chancellor emeritus of Baylor College of Medicine; Denton Cooley, M.D., president and surgeon-in-chief of the Texas Heart Institute; Kevin Dillon, executive vice president, chief operating and financial officer of the health science center; Dong Kim, M.D., professor, chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at the UT Medical School and director of the Mischer Neuroscience Institute at Memorial Hermann – TMC; Lex Frieden, professor of Health Informatics and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the UT School of Health Information Sciences; Patricia Starck, D.S.N., John P. McGovern Distinguished Professor and dean of the UT School of Nursing; and Charles Streckfus, D.D.S., professor of diagnostic sciences at the UT Dental Branch.

President Willerson’s mentors, Drs. Cooley and DeBakey, reminisced about their long-time friendship with Dr. Willerson. “There is no doubt about it, he is driven to excel. No matter what he does, he excels at it,” said Dr. DeBakey as he spoke of their friendship.

“I’d like to propose the first toast to Dr. Willerson, for all of his wonderful accomplishments,” said Dr. Cooley. “We’re all here to salute you for your great contribution to our community and to the medical center.”

Long-time development board member and friend of Dr. Willerson, Rodney Margolis expressed his gratitude to President Willerson for his leadership and contributions to the health science center. Margolis welcomed Scott Caven, chairman of The University of Texas Board of Regents, to the stage for a special surprise announcement.

“In order to recognize the remarkable leadership of Dr. James T. Willerson in his role as President of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, The University of Texas Board of Regents has voted to name the atrium of the Fayez S. Sarofim Building, home of The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, the James T. Willerson, M.D. Discovery Hall.”

To conclude the evening, Dr. Willerson took the stage with his wife, Nancy, to thank his friends and colleagues for their words of appreciation.

“I am the luckiest man alive, so fortunate to be given the opportunity to help The University of Texas here in Houston,” exclaimed Dr. Willerson. “I am so fortunate to be able to help people, to train others and build in a city where there’s so much compassion, generosity, love, caring and giving. There’s not another city in the world like Houston, Texas. This institution is poised for greatness. Until I can’t speak, or think, or move, I will continue to do exactly what I’ve been doing here – teaching, helping people, helping the university, helping to eliminate disease and working to bring these institutions together. The medical center was built by competition but it will be sustained by collaboration. I’ll never forget this night. I will be a part of you for the rest of my life. Thank you.”