Texas Heart Institute, UT System strengthen affiliation

Leaders of the Texas Heart Institute and The University of Texas System signed a new, revised affiliation agreement May 18 that will strengthen a collaboration initiated between the two institutions in 2004.

The new agreement calls for aligning the two institutions’ efforts to recruit world-class scientists and cardiac specialists, expanding joint cardiovascular research opportunities at the heart institute and at the UT Health Science Center at Houston, and cooperating together to take cardiovascular education and research to an international level.

"This is a partnership of excellence," said Dr. James Willerson, Texas Heart Institute president. "It will allow THI to expand its research capacity and cooperate with other UT component institutions."

Altogether, the UT System consists of nine academic universities and six health institutions.

Dr. Francisco Cigarroa, chancellor of the UT System, called the enhanced affiliation "the beginning of a new era" that strengthens and unites both institutions in their shared responsibility of saving lives.

"It is also a tribute to Dr. Denton A. Cooley," Cigarroa said, "whose contributions to both institutions are legendary."

Cooley, an alumnus of The University of Texas and founder of the Texas Heart Institute, called the signing of the amended affiliation agreement "a source of great satisfaction."

"Imagine having your alma mater and the institution you founded and nourished join forces to advance the progress against cardiovascular disease," he said. "I am very gratified."

Others participating in the signing were Meredith Long, chairman of the heart institute’s board of trustees; Dr. Kenneth Shine, the UT System’s executive vice chancellor for health affairs; and Dr. Larry Kaiser, UT Houston’s president. Also present were heart institute trustees Elyse Lanier, Rodney Margolis, John Duncan, and Reed Morian; UT System Regents James Dannenbaum and Robert Stillwell; UT System’s Vice Chancellor for External Relations Randa Safady; Vice Chancellor and General Counsel Barry Burgdorf; and Texas Medical Center President Dr. Richard Wainerdi.

— Marc Mattsson, Texas Heart Institute