MSE lobby dedicated for John Freeman

By Darla Brown

 

John H. Freeman, one of the founders of the Texas Medical Center, was posthumously honored at the Medical School Expansion April 18.

Since the Medical School’s first building, the two-story Freeman Building, was razed to make way for the six-story Medical School Expansion, Medical School leadership decided to dedicate the entry of the new facility in honor of Freeman, and unveiled a portrait of Freeman, which hangs in this space.

“Mr. Freeman and his friends dreamed of a medical center beyond anyone’s expectations,” said then President James Willerson, M.D. “We are here to honor John Freeman and have many special guests with us today.”

Freeman grew up in Houston’s Fifth Ward and became a partner in Fulbright, Crooker, and Freeman in 1924. He prepared the legal documents that established the M. D. Anderson Foundation and was a trustee of that foundation until his death in 1980.

“The history of the M. D. Anderson Foundation and the birth of the Texas Medical Center is a remarkable story. Without the M. D. Anderson Foundation and individuals with the foresight of Mr. Freeman, there would be no Texas Medical Center – and we would not be sitting here today.”
– Dr. Margaret McNeese

Margaret McNeese, M.D., associate dean of admissions and student affairs, served as emcee of the lunch event as many guests shared their personal recollections of Freeman.

“The history of the M. D. Anderson Foundation and the birth of the Texas Medical Center is a remarkable story. Without the M. D. Anderson Foundation and individuals with the foresight of Mr. Freeman, there would be no Texas Medical Center – and we would not be sitting here today. My father thought so much of Mr. Freeman – he had a quiet strength and conviction, and he was a true gentleman,” Dr. McNeese said.

Mavis Kelsey, M.D., founder of the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, said that he became close friends with Freeman, who became the lawyer for his business. “He wrote up our partnership in 1956,” Dr. Kelsey said.

Joanie Jaworski Moncrief said she was happy for the occasion to honor Freeman. “People like Mr. Freeman were not recognized for what they contributed. A day like today thrills me,” she said. “My father wrote that ‘no one in my professional life was dearer to me than John Freeman.’”

Cheves Smythe, M.D., first dean of the Medical School, said he approached Freeman about naming the first two-story Medical School Building after him. “I asked him if it was OK, and he said, ‘yes,’” Dr. Smythe recalled.