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Development News

Medical School to design new state-of-the-art
surgical skills lab
     As part of a new enhancement initiative and flood recovery from Tropical Storm Allison, The University of Texas Medical School is working toward a vision of building a state-of-the-art surgical skills laboratory for the education and training of students, residents, faculty, and hospital staff in a variety of orthopaedic surgery techniques. The lab will change the way the faculty teach and evaluate fundamental surgical skills and will also provide a platform for continuing education that will assist in sustaining the operations of the lab.

     “Creating such a teaching lab is a very important step in developing the most technologically advanced medical school, which will better prepare our graduates,” said Dean L. Maximilian Buja, M.D.

     The lab will have the capability to simulate spine surgery, minimally invasive joint replacements, and tissue and genetic engineering concepts of the future as well as robotic surgery. In addition, the new lab will allow students and residents to practice on model bones, or Sawbones, before they begin operating on patients. The facility will also allow orthopaedic and surgical companies and their vendors to teach new surgical techniques and demonstrate new products to physician and operating room personnel.

     “The Surgical and Clinical Skills Center of The University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center will not only be crucial for the education of current and future physicians, but it also will allow continuing medical educational opportunities for busy physicians and surgeons in the community,” said Thomas O. Clanton, M.D., chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. “I see this as one of the most significant investments we can make for the improvement in health care for the citizens of Houston and this region.”

     Architectural drawings are currently being reviewed with a proposed space allocation in the basement of the Medical School, and funding will come from a variety of private and corporate donors.

     If you would like information, please contact Debbie Gligor, associate director of development for the Medical School at 713-500-5002.

Paine gives $250,000 to support geriatric medicine
By Amber Buckley
      Patsy Paine’s husband died over a year ago, just four years into their marriage. Today she has found a way to turn that tragic loss into a legacy of care and compassion.

     Inspired by the kindness and friendship of her husband’s physician, James N. Kvale, M.D., professor and specialist in geriatric medicine, Paine recently gave $250,000 to The University of Texas Medical School at Houston to help advance Dr. Kvale’s work in geriatric medicine and care management. Her gift will establish the Samuel Paine Memorial Lectureship and help expand training and education for future care givers in gerontology.

     Dr. Kvale, who specializes in the management of chronic diseases in elder patients, took over her husband’s care and helped Paine weather the storm through his death and five months later, through the death of her father as well. Paine said the entire experience opened her eyes to the critical need for skilled specialists who can coordinate and provide compassionate end-of-life care to the aging population.

     A portion of Paine’s gift will help expand the overall geriatric training program in the department of family practice and community medicine at the Medical School. Specifically, Dr. Kvale said he will use the funds to develop teaching programs and activities in geriatric medicine for postgraduates.

New Medical School Advisory Council formed
     In an effort to continue to involve the UT- Houston Development Board members in activities around the Health Science Center, several advisory councils recently were formed. The Medical School Advisory Council was created in the fall of 2002, and new members of the Development Board have an opportunity to join each year.

     The Medical School Advisory Council meets biannually, serving in an advisory capacity to Dean Max Buja, M.D. This format allows the dean to communicate his vision and priorities for the Medical School as well as to discuss challenges. He also may seek assistance from the council in reaching his goals for the Medical School.

     “It is a privilege for me to have the opportunity to interact with the excellent individuals on the Medical School’s Advisory Council,” Dean Buja said. “They are providing me with important insights and suggestions about how to promote the Medical School and move our priorities forward with increasing community support. I greatly admire and appreciate the commitment and enthusiasm of the members of the Advisory Council.”

     The Medical School Advisory Council is chaired by Brad Howell and its members include Jim Dannenbaum, Al Deaton, John S. Dunn, Tom Dyches, John Ellis, George Farris, Sally Harvin, H.W. Hightower, Jr., Carolyn Keenan, Elyse Lanier, Stephen Lasher, Barry Lewis, George Martinez, Maureen O’Driscoll-Levy, Pete Seale, Neil Strauss, and Conrad Weil. Several council members gathered in September at the home of Carolyn Keenan to enjoy an evening of dinner, conversation and an entertaining presentation from Dean Buja titled “Wines of the World for Food and Fun: The Art and Science of Wine.”

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