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Contact: 210-567-3080 |
Ramirez named to head South Texas/Border Initiative (8/14/95)Mario E. Ramirez, MD, of McAllen, former member of The University of Texas System Board of Regents and a longtime leader in South Texas medicine, has been named vice president for South Texas/Border Initiative for The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The announcement was made by John P. Howe, III, MD, president of the Health Science Center. "Dr. Ramirez is the single most qualified person in South Texas to work with local civic and medical leaders in communities throughout South Texas to insure the success of our important new outreach initiatives within this region," said Dr. Howe. "He not only knows most of the health professionals in this region, he knows the needs of the communities as well." For six years Dr. Ramirez served on the Higher Education Coordinating Board, the entity that oversees the development and curriculum of all colleges and universities in the state. Dr. Ramirez served as a member of the UT System Board of Regents from 1989 through 1995. As a regent, he also served as chairman of the Health Affairs Committee, which has direct oversight of the system's six health components. Dr. Ramirez was a charter member and diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice and a charter fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He is a former President of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians and a former President of the Texas Medical Association. After attending The University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Ramirez received his doctor of medicine degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and served his internship and residency at Shreveport Charity Hospital. He opened a family practice office in Roma, Texas, in 1950 and for many years was the only physician in the area. In 1975 he moved his practice to Rio Grande City. In 1958 he opened a 15-bed hospital in Roma; the hospital was later enlarged to include 21 beds and a surgical wing. Dr. Ramirez was elected as Starr County judge and provided leadership in the initiative to build the Starr County Memorial Hospital. Among his many medical and community honors are the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Medical Association; the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Texas Academy of Family Practice; and the Family Doctor of the Year Award sponsored by the American Academy of Family Physicians and *Good Housekeeping* magazine which was announced at the White House by President Carter with the Ramirez family in attendance at the Oval Office. Dr. Ramirez is married to the former Sarah Aycock and they have five children: Mario Jr., a district judge; Patricia Anne, an educator and assistant principal; Norman Michael, a cardiologist; Jaime Eduardo, a pediatrician, and Roberto Luis, an attorney. He served two years in the Air Force. Dr. Ramirez has received dozens of local, state and national commendations for his service to the community, the state and the health care profession. "He is a physician's physician," said Dr. Howe. "He understands academic medicine as well as patient care. He knows how to match the assets of the Health Science Center to the specific needs of his beloved South Texas region. The UT Health Science Center is fortunate to have a man of such distinction providing leadership to our South Texas/Border Initiative programs." Contact: Judy Wolf (210) 567-2570
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