Former Gov. Dolph Briscoe will be the honoree at the second annual UT Health Science Center gala, which will celebrate the School of medicine’s 40th anniversary.
Printer Friendly Format

The UT Health Science Center San Antonio will celebrate the School of Medicine’s 40th anniversary Sept. 20 at its second annual gala honoring one of Texas’ exceptional leaders, former Gov. Dolph Briscoe. The gala will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio.

Gov. Rick Perry and his wife, Anita T. Perry, R.N., M.S.N., who earned her master’s degree from the Health Science Center’s School of Nursing, have agreed to be honorary chairs. The event will establish the Briscoe Family Legacy Fund in Women’s Health in the School of Medicine.

Longtime supporters of the Health Science Center
“Gov. Briscoe has been an inspiration to Health Science Center students, faculty and staff since our university was established, and his legacy to higher education is remarkable,” President Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., said. “Gov. Briscoe and his beloved wife, Janey, were here to see our first classes of medical students graduate while he was serving as governor. He and his family have been wonderful supporters of our Health Science Center — especially in the area of cardiovascular research — throughout our history.”

Texas’ First Lady Anita Perry, who earned her master’s degree in nursing from the UT Health Science Center, and Gov. Rick Perry are the honorary co-chairs for the celebration.

Anita Perry, a 1977 graduate of the Health Science Center School of Nursing, along with her husband, Gov. Perry, have been strong supporters of health care initiatives throughout the state. In 2007, Gov. Perry led the initiative to establish the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. The institute is funded by the Texas Cancer Council, with $3 billion dedicated to promoting important research to prevent and treat cancer. Lionel Sosa of San Antonio serves as a board member of this visionary institute.

A nurse for 17 years before becoming the First Lady of Texas, Anita Perry was named the School of Nursing’s Distinguished Alumna in 2001. The same year the Anita Thigpen Perry Endowment was established in the School of Nursing to create the Center for Community-Based Health Promotion in Women and Children.

“I take great pride in having graduated from the UT Health Science Center San Antonio and I and many others appreciate all that Gov. Briscoe has done to help the university and students excel. It is Rick’s and my pleasure to serve as honorary chairs for this special event to honor Gov. Briscoe.” Anita Perry said.

New endowment to support women’s health
The Briscoe Family Legacy Fund in Women’s Health will honor Gov. Briscoe and his family while advancing excellence in medical education, care and research in the area of women’s health. The fund will also build on the Health Science Center’s recognition as a National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health — one of only 21 such centers in the nation and the only national center in Texas. “Women’s health is particularly important to us all as we recognize the powerful influence grandmothers, mothers and wives have on the health and wellness of our families,” Dr. Cigarroa said.

Many gifts to support the Health Science Center
Gov. Briscoe’s generosity to the Health Science Center has been recognized with the naming of the Dolph Briscoe Library on the Health Science Center campus. He has also contributed more than $4 million to establish the world-class Janey Briscoe Center of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research and the Janey Briscoe Distinguished University Chair in Cardiovascular Research, held by center Director and Chief of Cardiology Steven Bailey, M.D. These gifts honor Gov. Briscoe’s late wife, Janey, who lived two years after a major heart attack due to the excellent care she received from Health Science Center physicians.

In the School of Nursing, Gov. Briscoe established the Janey Briscoe Endowed Scholarship in Nursing, and his daughter, Janey, is a member of the school’s Nursing Advisory Council. “We are so proud of the Health Science Center and its many accomplishments. I am honored to be associated with the 40 years of excellence the School of Medicine and this university has contributed to make lives better throughout South Texas and our world,” Gov. Briscoe said.

School of Medicine alumni also to be honored
The second annual gala also will also honor the 6,500 physicians who are alumni of the School of Medicine. More than 1,200 of these dedicated doctors practice in San Antonio and 3,500 provide care throughout Texas.

In addition, the event will include current students of the School of Medicine along with community leaders from across the region.

Gala co-chairs
Co-chairs for the second annual School of Medicine gala include:

• Health Science Center President Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., and his wife, Graciela Cigarroa
  
• William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, dean of the School of Medicine and vice president for Medical Affairs, and his wife, Mary Henrich
  
• Community leaders and philanthropists Glenn and Ann Biggs; Joe and Joci Straus; Sam and Ann Barshop; Dick and Jimmie Ruth Evans; Bill and Louree Greehey; James L. and Carolyn Holly (president of the School of Medicine alumni association), John and Debbie Montford (John Montford is chair of the Health Science Center’s Development Board);
  
• Lance and Gretchen Lahourcade, School of Medicine parent co-chairs
  
• Student representatives Albert Parra and Jill Waters

How to be a part of this event
If you wish to attend or reserve a table at the School of Medicine’s 40th anniversary gala or make a contribution to the Briscoe Family Legacy Fund in Women’s Health, please call (210) 567-2028.

For additional information about the world-class educational, research and patient care provided through the UT Health Science Center San Antonio School of Medicine, visit http://som.uthscsa.edu or call (210) 567-4422.