UT System and Texas Heart Institute Affiliate

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston stands to benefit from an affiliation announced March 9 between The University of Texas System and the Texas Heart Institute (THI).

According to James T. Willerson, M.D., president of the health science center and president-elect of THI, the UT Health Science Center will have access to additional research space and new opportunities to collaborate in research, including cutting-edge research involving stem cells.

"This is an important new affiliation for the Texas Medical Center, and signals a new era in collaboration among THI, UT and Baylor College of Medicine," Willerson said. "In this affiliation THI becomes the hub of a grand research collaboration involving Baylor and the UT Health Science Center, along with other universities and health care institutions, in the quest to conquer cardiovascular disease. The affiliation with UT System will allow THI to expand its research capacities and cooperate with other UT components."

To advance research and education in cardiovascular disease, THI and the UT System, with the assistance of the UT Health Science Center, have agreed to cooperate in the recruitment of scientists, including physicians, to joint appointments at the UT Health Science Center and THI.

At THI's request, the UT System and the UT Health Science Center will assist in recruiting scientists to THI who have medical or faculty appointments at other Texas Medical Center institutions.

THI and UT System also agree to cooperate in mutually beneficial fund raising for research and education programs, which will include seeking support at the local, state, federal and international levels from both public and private resources.

"The Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital has enjoyed a worldwide reputation in cardiovascular research, education and patient care for many years. Collaborations such as this agreement with The University of Texas System will help ensure that we maintain our leadership role and position us for even greater accomplishments in the coming years," said Denton A. Cooley, M.D., president and surgeon-in-chief of THI.

The UT System operates six health institutions with a focus on education, research and patient care. Within the System's six health institutions, there are four medical schools, two dental schools, and three nursing schools, as well as schools of allied health science, biomedical sciences, health information sciences, and public health.

"This unique affiliation between the world class programs of THI and The University of Texas System offers terrific opportunities to further strengthen cardiovascular research and education, to improve the health of Texans, and to enhance the role of Texas as a leader in research, treatment and preventive medicine," said Mark G. Yudof, chancellor of the UT System.

In January, a $5 million gift from a private donor was equally divided between the UT Health Science Center at Houston and THI to fund stem cell research endowments at the two institutions.