Dr. Colasurdo brings a compassionate
vision to the role of dean (continued)

By Darla Brown

Italy – the homeland

The hectic pace of 17-hour days is a world away from where Dean Colasurdo’s story begins – the tiny village of Morrone Del Sannio (population 700), located at the Achilles heel of Italy’s boot. The second of five children, Dean Colasurdo came to the United States to further his medical training via the sponsorship of his father.

“When I was young, the United States requested Italian tailors, and my dad was among a couple of dozen who was selected. He came to Rochester, New York, and we stayed behind with my mother,” he says.
The children moved on to a rented apartment in Pescara, Italy, when they each turned 14 to go to school.

Dean Colasurdo graduated from the G. D’Annunzio School of Medicine in Chieti, Italy, summa cum laude, and did pulmonary research there and began his interest in pediatrics – a very competitive specialty in Italy.

“My father returned in 1987, and in 1988, I decided to move to the United States to pursue my medical education – I wanted to receive the best medical training in the world. I had to fight him a bit on that because he didn’t want me to go,” he recalls.

Dr. Colasurdo did his residency at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and then a fellowship at the University of Colorado Health Science Center and National Jewish Research and Medical Center. He now maintains dual citizenship in the United States and Italy.

Vision for the Medical School

In naming Dr. Colasurdo dean of the Medical School, James T. Willerson, M.D., president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, said, “He is an outstanding leader, physician-scientist, educator, and builder.”

With his experience of fortifying the Department of Pediatrics, Dean Colasurdo has outlined a vision for the Medical School that includes creating a culture of excellence, pursuing best practices in the educational arena, growing research, and strengthening the affiliation with Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center.

“He is visionary. He has high standards and is dedicated to excellence. I am seeing him take on a different job with a lot of enthusiasm and energy and creativity,” says Jon Tyson, M.D., M.P.H., assistant dean for clinical research and the Michelle Bain Distinguished Professor in Medicine & Public Health.

Cordola credits Dr. Colasurdo with the strong relationship between the Medical School and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.

“In terms of growth for us, we’re up 15 percent in admissions over the previous year, and we have recruited 35 new pediatric physicians in the past 18 months solely as a result of our partnership with Dr. Colasurdo,” Cordola says. “We compete nationally for pediatric subspecialists, and it is amazing what we have been able to accomplish, and the vast majority of it is due to his leadership.”

Dean Colasurdo says that the Medical School must continue to build on this clinical partnership.

“We need to align our vision with the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System,” he says. “This has to be a strong and close partnership that will allow us to expand our clinical efforts.”

Looking to the future

Although he has only been in the dean role for a few weeks, there is already an excitement about the new leadership for the Medical School.

“I think Giuseppe will leave a mark and legacy of bringing in top physicians and scientists, increase NIH funding to UT, and he will bring operational discipline and growth to the Medical School,” Cordola says. “I think he’s absolutely the right person for that job and at the right time when the Medical School needed leadership like his.”

“He has the drive and passion to take us to the next level – and he knows how to listen. Him becoming dean is one of the best things that has happened to the school,” Zambra says.

That sentiment was echoed by numerous friends and colleagues when they first heard the news. Richard Clark, Ph.D., professor of integrative biology and pharmacology, wrote Dr. Colasurdo an e-mail after he heard the announcement, saying how excited and happy he was that the right choice was made: “A dean who is first of all a great clinician and second a good clinical scientist who knows basic science.”

Former chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Larry Gilstrap, M.D., with whom Dr. Colasurdo had a close working relationship, also penned a congratulatory e-mail: “Dean Colasurdo! I really like the sound of that. What a great choice for dean. You will be great for the Medical School.”

Dean Colasurdo says that the dean position is not a one-person job – that it takes the involvement of all of the stakeholders to create a reality of excellence.

“Dr. Willerson’s mandate is not limited to the simple resolution of negative operating budgets. Rather, the success of our project will be measured by our ability to advance the frontiers of education, research, and quality care. Hiring and choosing outstanding chairs, faculty, and staff is the most effective way to enrich the culture of our school. I enjoy this part of the dean’s job!

“We have the people, the vision, and environment to be among the best – all we have to do is do it,” he says.