the torch Fall 2009

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From the President

Difficult, competitive times remind us of the importance of making wiser choices with greater care. The kind of capital that often isn’t counted pays dividends in hundreds of ways every single day at Baylor.

From the Chairman

So many of us have been touched by cancer. We have had the disease, or a loved one has had cancer. Almost all of us have mourned the loss of someone to cancer. This makes all of us cancer survivors.

Meet the Staff: Deborah Barker

Deborah Barker is enthusiastic about raising money for good causes, and with good reason. Her husband, Bob, has been fighting life-threatening diseases for nearly 20 years. “Cancer research has been a passion for Bob and me since 1991, when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and given less than a 20 percent chance of survival,” Deborah said.

the torch Fall 2009

Sammons gift exceeds $20 million

Baylor Health Care System Foundation announced gifts exceeding $20 million for what will be North Texas’ largest outpatient cancer center and first dedicated hospital focusing on cancer patients. This donation is made possible through the generosity of the men and women of Sammons Enterprises Inc. and the estate of founder Charles A. Sammons.

Margaret Hunt Hill, daughters to receive Celebrating Women’s Circle of Care Awards

The 10th annual Celebrating Women luncheon will honor Lyda Hill, Alinda Wikert and their mother, the late Margaret Hunt Hill, with Circle of Care Awards.

Celebrating Women speaker's story makes an impact

In 2008, Celebrating Women keynote speaker Kelly Corrigan posted a video of herself reading her “Transcending” essay on YouTube. Women began forwarding the video to friends, and it has been watched nearly 5 million times.

Physician's gift supports vascular surgery fellowships

Gregory Pearl, M.D., the division leader of vascular surgery at Baylor Dallas and the Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital, has pledged $100,000 to the Jesse Eldon Thompson Surgical Education and Research Endowment to support vascular surgery fellowships.

Blessing of the Hands honors cardiovascular caregivers

Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital recognized its staff and partners with a ceremony that featured a chaplain blessing the hands of all who were present.

Baylor ranked among top hospitals

U.S. News and World Report has listed Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas in its America’s Best Hospitals issue for the 17th consecutive year.

Foundation appoints 18 new board members

Baylor Health Care System Foundation has welcomed 18 new members to its board of directors. Board members assist the Foundation in support of Baylor Health Care System’s mission to serve all people through exemplary health care, education, research and community service.

Employee Giving Campaign tops million-dollar mark

This year, nearly 5,900 Baylor employees donated a record $1,070,817 to support 18 programs at Baylor hospitals in Dallas, Garland, Grapevine, Plano and Waxahachie. The campaign began with a goal of $800,000.

Donors can help fund future of medicine at Baylor

Baylor Health Care System Foundation provides donors a unique opportunity to share in a physician’s journey in medicine by sponsoring fellowships and residencies.

Don January to cap Grand Rounds® festivities

Former pro golfer and Texas Sports Hall of Famer Don January will be the guest speaker at the VIP dinner at the Baylor Health Care System Foundation Grand Rounds® Golf Tournament at Northwood Club in Dallas.

Younger philanthropists invited into The Inner Circle™

Baylor Health Care System Foundation is looking to engage the next generation of philanthropists through social and educational experiences with its new program, The Inner Circle™.

Government report rates Baylor hospital No. 1

Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital has the lowest heart failure readmission rate of any hospital in the country — 15.9 percent — according to a government report released in July.

Researchers seek personalized cancer treatments

Researchers at Mary Crowley Cancer Research Center are working to create an advanced, personalized technique for fighting cancer with fewer treatments and side effects.

1903™ recognizes loyal Foundation supporters

Baylor Health Care System Foundation is inviting its loyal supporters to join 1903™. The group serves as a way of recognizing those who have provided financial support to the health care system and the patients it serves.

Brigonnet feels right at home at BRI

“I love being in Texas,” said the new vice president and chief operating officer of Baylor Research Institute. “My only other long-term exposure to this country was in New Jersey. They’re very homey here, very direct, which is much more familiar to me.”

Surgery at Baylor keeps 92-year-old donor in the game

At 92 years young, Lillian Rudd still loves playing basketball. But she almost had to give up the game eight years ago because of a back injury.

Donors enjoy gift annuities’ many benefits

Who are the biggest fans of gift annuities? Folks who have them! Many donors even choose to set up multiple gift annuities over the years. This can truly be “win-win” philanthropy that benefits both the charity and those who support it.

Transplant institute to commemorate 25 years

Baylor Regional Transplant Institute plans to celebrate the achievements of its first quarter century and present its vision for the future at a 25th anniversary celebration on November 11 at the new Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House in downtown Dallas.

Fund created by Shepherds makes medical advances possible

Mark and Mary Alice Shepherd started the Mary Alice and Mark Shepherd Jr. Endowment in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery in 1979. Since then, it has helped create numerous medical breakthroughs.

Plano Women’s Imaging Center celebrates grand opening

The Women’s Imaging Center at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano relocated in June to a 9,000-square-foot facility on the first floor of Baylor Medical Pavilion II.

Company helps NICU babies with developmental toys

Members of CTG Health Care Solutions' staff provided developmental learning toys and products for the Blanche Swanzy Lange NICU at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.

On the Board: William T. (Bill) Hill Jr.

Bill Hill has been an attorney for 42 years, the last two with Fitzpatrick Hagood Smith & Uhl. Before that, he served for eight years as Dallas County’s criminal district attorney and worked as a white-collar criminal defense lawyer for 25 years. Bill has been a member of the Baylor Health Care System Foundation board of directors since 2006.

Physician Profile: Michael Emmett, M.D.

Michael Emmett, M.D., was born in a displaced persons camp in Austria. He and his family moved to the United States four years later. He graduated magna cum laude from Penn State and first in his class at Temple University School of Medicine. He joined the medical staff of Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas in July 1976.

Im Memoriam: Elizabeth Perkins Prothro

Education and the pursuit of knowledge were among Elizabeth's favorite causes, and the Prothros made a significant impact on Baylor’s ability to provide quality care to the community it serves and continuing education to its medical staff.

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