A historic year for UTHealth Houston
As we celebrate the accomplishments of Fiscal Year 2023, we give thanks for the friends whose philanthropy made them possible. Over 2,300 donors contributed more than $66.4 million to support life-changing discoveries, train the next generation of health professionals, and serve the communities around us.
In addition, we saw the successful conclusion of the university’s largest philanthropic effort yet—the Many Faces. One Mission. campaign. This monumental achievement crowns a year of notable advances in our mission to continue saving and improving lives.
The close of a successful campaign
Thanks to the generosity of 11,315 donors—including community supporters, alumni, faculty, and staff—the university's Many Faces. One Mission. campaign surpassed its goal, raising $534.4 million to transform the health landscape in Houston and beyond.
The impact of the campaign will reverberate for years through scholarship support to nurture students as they become the next generation to guide our communities to better health, endowed professorships and chairs to recruit world-class educators and researchers, and research funding to advance initiatives that improve health outcomes for individuals and communities. From first-time gifts to endowment support to bequests, every contribution made a difference in advancing our shared vision of a healthier future.
A transformational commitment
In addition to his longstanding volunteer leadership on our Development Board, D. Bradley “Brad” McWilliams made a transformational commitment of $22 million to UTHealth Houston School of Biomedical Informatics that will enable the school, one of the largest biomedical informatics programs in the world, to accelerate its mission to reshape the future of medicine and health care through artificial intelligence, data science, and informatics.
In gratitude for his generosity, the school is now named D. Bradley McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UTHealth Houston. His gift created innovative research funds, academic endowments for strategic faculty recruitment, and student scholarships—supporting the school’s work to leverage data science to save and improve lives.
The Art of Gratitude – A campaign celebration
UTHealth Houston celebrated the success of Many Faces. One Mission. on Thursday, April 20, at The Revaire. University leaders lauded the generosity of supporters and dedication of volunteers who helped bring the campaign across the finish line, outlining the significant impact the campaign will make in the community for years to come.
In appreciation of the donors who gave to the campaign, the university commissioned nine local artists to create artwork that celebrates the difference we make when we work together, displaying their pieces for attendees in a collection entitled “The Art of Gratitude.” The artwork was part of a commemorative book for leadership donors.
New mobile dental van keeps care rolling
During a ribbon-cutting ceremony in December, School of Dentistry leadership presented the new Mobile Dental Van, replacing the existing vehicle, which had logged nearly 130,000 miles in the Greater Houston area and rural communities in East Texas since its inaugural trip in 2002.
Thanks to community supporters, the new van boasts state-of-the-art technology, including three fully-outfitted operatories and a wheelchair lift. This vehicle will allow the school to provide oral health care to more patients in underserved communities and expand educational experiences for its students.
Spring luncheon honors McGovern Foundation
More than 250 guests gathered for the annual PARTNERS Spring Luncheon at the River Oaks Country Club on Tuesday, April 25 to support faculty and students at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston. The event raised $214,000 in faculty research funds and student scholarships while honoring Kathrine G. McGovern and the John P. McGovern Foundation, which has established two distinguished professorship endowments and made a significant gift creating a scholarship endowment for nursing students.
National Geographic photographer Annie Griffiths served as the event’s keynote speaker, treating guests to heartwarming stories and inspiring images in a presentation titled “Life in Color.”
A new building for public health
In June 2023, the university held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 10-story, 350,000 ft2 building for UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. Located in the Texas Medical Center Helix Park, it will house state-of-the-art research laboratories and distance-learning technology, an auditorium, teaching kitchen, collaborative spaces, and classrooms in support of the school’s broad range of disciplines including epidemiology, genetics, nutrition, health policy, data science, and health promotion.
The new facility will provide a rich academic environment to support current and future public health experts as they develop the tools, programs, and information that lead to healthier lives.
Looking ahead
The successful conclusion of the Many Faces. One Mission. campaign—and the many other achievements of the last year—illustrate the boundless potential of UTHealth Houston and its community of supporters.
“I am humbled by the unwavering dedication of the many faces of UTHealth Houston, who drive our mission forward and allows us to reach new heights,” says Kevin J. Foyle, MBA, CFRE, Senior Vice President of Development and Public Affairs. “I look forward to what the future will bring as we carry forward the momentum of the campaign.”