Presidential Awards for Excellence

Volunteers from the College of Medicine, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and the Health Science Center Office of Homeland Security shared the Presidential Award for Excellence in Community Outreach. The award was accepted by Dr. Christopher Colenda, COM dean; Dr. Richard Adams, CVMBS dean; and Dr. P.K. Carlton, OHS director, for the volunteers’ efforts in assisting individuals displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The award recognizes those who embody compassionate care, servant leadership and integrity in the provision of care to underserved individuals and communities across the state.

The Health Science Center Rural and Community Health Institute was honored with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Health Care Services and Delivery. Providing assistance to 88 hospitals in 79 Texas counties, the RCHI enhances the quality of care in rural hospitals through an innovative peer review program; advances the standards and protocols in the care of local patients; and provides educational opportunities to rural providers statewide who otherwise may not have such opportunities. The award, accepted by Dr. Josie Williams, RCHI director, acknowledges exceptional commitment and innovation to the provision of health care over time.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry was named to the Presidential Award for Excellence in Research. Gov. Perry was instrumental in creating the Enterprise Fund and designating $50 million from the fund for the Texas Institute of Genomic Medicine, a partnership between the Health Science Center and Lexicon Genetics, a private corporation focused on discovering treatments for human disease via proprietary gene knockout technology. The award honors significant contributions that enhance, facilitate or accelerate the HSC research enterprise.

The Baylor Oral Health Foundation received the Presidential Award for Institutional Enhancement. Mr. Robert Bigham accepted the award for the BOHF, which has provided financial and other support to the Baylor College of Dentistry as it is brought into the Health Science Center. The support of the BOHF was instrumental in acquiring superior faculty and state-of-the-art technology to benefit both the education and research missions of the school. This award honors an individual or foundation demonstrating outstanding commitment to the mission of the Health Science Center by providing significant support to one or more areas within the institution.

For development of both the Master of Health Administration degree program and the Health Services Research doctoral program, Dr. Larry Gamm was recognized with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Education and Mentorship. These efforts, beyond his stellar teaching performance, are a testament to Dr. Gamm’s dedication – not only to his students but also to the overall growth and development of the department and the school. The award honors exceptional contribution and achievement as an educator or mentor and is reflective of the breadth of educational and mentoring activities across the Health Science Center.

Ms. Marie Partner was honored with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Administrative Support. Ms. Partner has demonstrated a long-term commitment to supporting the mission and educational efforts at the Scott & White campus in Temple and been the “go-to” person for the College of Medicine and School of Rural Public Health. The award acknowledges individuals who have made distinguishable contributions to the Health Science Center through their dedication, initiative, outstanding achievements, enthusiasm and attitude in their work.

Convocation and Component Awards

Dr. James West, former professor in the College of Medicine, was designated Distinguished Professor Emeritus for his work on fetal alcohol syndrome. His research in animal models examine factors influencing the risk and severity of fetal alcohol-induced brain damage and mechanisms that underlie fetal brain damage. He retired in 2005.

Drs. Stephen Safe and John Wright were named Regents Professors. Dr. Safe is director of the Center for Environmental and Genetic Medicine at the Institute of Biosciences and Technology in Houston. Dr. Wright is vice chair of the Diagnostic Sciences Department at the Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas. The two doctors bring the total to 16 Regents Professors in the Health Science Center.

Dr. Gary McCord, assistant dean for Student Affairs at the College of Medicine, was a recipient of the 2005 Piper Professor Award. Dr. McCord, an associate professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics and the Department of Radiology, is one of 15 honorees nationwide and the first ever from the Health Science Center. He has been honored with “Best Lecturer Award” from the medical students for 10 consecutive years and the Texas A&M University Association of Former Students’ Distinguished Teaching Award three times.

Nancy Dickey, M.D., Texas A&M Health Science Center president and Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, presents Richard DeVaul, M.D., chair of the Pathways to Excellence 2015 Steering Committee and coordinator of the Leadership in Medicine Program in the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, a gift in appreciation for his role as committee chair.

Drs. Jose Pliego and Van Wilson were presented with College of Medicine Awards, among the top honors within the college.

Jose Pliego, M.D., assistant dean in the College of Medicine, right, received a College award in recognition of his work during the academic convocation luncheon. With Dr. Pliego is R. Kelly Hester, Ph.D., associate dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Medicine.

Van Wilson, Ph.D., professor in the College of Medicine Department of Microbial and Molecular Pathogenesis, left, received a College award in recognition of his work during the academic convocation luncheon. With Dr. Wilson is R. Kelly Hester, Ph.D., associate dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Medicine.

Dr. Robert Wells of the Institute for Biosciences and Technology garnered a Lifetime Achievement Award from the faculty.

School of Rural Public Health honors were given to Dr. Steven Moore, Award for Excellence in Education; Dr. James Burdine, Award for Excellence in Outreach; and Mr. Charles Cooper, Award for Excellence in Administrative Support.