Story by Cliff Despres

Amelie G. Ramirez, Dr.P.H., (center) visits with Bill Gimson (right), executive director of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, and Andy Miller (left) of the Lance Armstrong Foundation April 2, 2009, at the foundation’s headquarters in Austin. Photo courtesy of the Austin American-Statesman.
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Amelie G. Ramirez, Dr.P.H., director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, was recently appointed to the Scientific and Prevention Advisory Council for the new Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).

“I’m extremely pleased to be a part of this new advisory council, which will allow us to make a difference in preventing cancer in Texas, especially in South Texas’ medically underserved regions,” Dr. Ramirez said. “CPRIT is a critical opportunity for Texas to lead the way in preventing, discovering and potentially curing cancer.”

In addition, Dr. Ramirez and Norma Martinez Rogers, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, associate clinical professor in the Department of Family Nursing, recently were honored by national magazines.

Institute created in 2007 as part of Proposition 15
CPRIT, created by the Texas Legislature and approved by Texas voters in Proposition 15 included in the November 2007 elections, is authorized to issue $3 billion in general obligations bonds over 10 years to fund grants for cancer research, prevention, early detection and control programs. Its new Scientific and Prevention Advisory Council, which will meet for the first time April 30, is expected to provide strategic guidance on the development of cancer research in Texas.

National magazines honor two faculty members

CPRIT officials said in a statement that Dr. Ramirez’ “expertise, knowledge and perspective will be a tremendous addition” to the advisory council. Dr. Ramirez, who joined the Health Science Center in 2006 from Baylor College of Medicine, is a nationally recognized expert in the field of health promotion and education. She has received many honors and awards, including election to the prestigious Institute of Medicine and a presidential appointment to the National Cancer Advisory Board.

Dr. Ramirez was nominated to the council by South Texas media consultant Lionel Sosa, a member of the CPRIT Oversight Committee. That group, which recently named Bill Gimson as CPRIT’s executive director, will oversee allocation of the bond funding.

More committee members to be named
The council’s membership, not yet finalized, includes representatives from UT Austin, Baylor College of Medicine, Laredo Medical Center, UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System, Texas Christian University, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Parkland Health & Hospital Systems and the Texas Tech University Health Science Center.

Dr. Ramirez is the only Health Science Center representative on the council so far.