News Briefs

Medical School Near Top of Hispanic List

The University of Texas Medical School at Houston has been named among the top 10 medical schools for Hispanics, according to Hispanic Business magazine. In the publication’s September issue, the school came in at No. 8.

Other Texas medical schools listed were the UT Medical School at San Antonio at No. 2, UT Medical Branch at Galveston at No. 3, the UT Southwestern Medical School at Dallas and Texas A&M University System Medical School in College Station.

One Stop Care for Tuberous Sclerosis

Experts at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, along with partners at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, have opened the region’s first clinic dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.

Tuberous sclerosis is a genetic disorder that causes benign tumors to grow in the brain and on other vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, eyes, lungs and skin. It commonly affects the central nervous system, and in some cases leads to serious medical problems. It is estimated that one in 6,000 babies will be diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis.

Hope Northrup, M.D., professor and director of medical genetics in the Department of Pediatrics at the UT Medical School, said the clinic will provide comprehensive care to patients while expanding opportunities for tuberous sclerosis research. Northrup, a leading expert whose interest in tuberous sclerosis began in 1987, spearheaded the effort to get the center up and running.

The clinic is designed to meet the needs of patients, both children and adults, and their family members. Located in Suite 1010 of the UT Professional Building, 6410 Fannin St., the clinic is open from 9 a.m. to noon the first Monday of each month. For more information call 713-500-7032.

South MacGregor Tract Sold

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston has sold a 4.31 acre parcel of land known as the former Wright Morrow Estate. Located at 3028 South MacGregor Way, the tract is adjacent to the UT Harris County Psychiatric Center, near Highway 288. The total purchase price for the property was $4.55 million. The purchaser was Cypresswood Capital, Ltd., located in The Woodlands.

The health science center purchased the property in 2002 as the new site for its Mental Sciences Institute (MSI), currently housed at 1300 Moursund in the Texas Medical Center. Proceeds from the Sept. 25 sale will be used for construction of a new MSI facility in the area known as the South Campus.

The MSI provides teaching, research and administrative space for the UT Medical School at Houston’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, chaired by Robert Guynn, M.D.