Generosity has helped us build our legacy of excellence

The Arnold Family

For nearly four decades, Dan Arnold and Dr. Bill Winters have shared a keen devotion to the Houston community and to quality health care for its residents. The intersection of their lives and interests came full circle in 2016 with a most extraordinary commitment to establish The Beverly B. and Daniel C. Arnold Presidential Distinguished Chair in Cardiology in honor of William L. Winters Jr., MD. This endowed chair celebrates the enduring impact Dan and his wife Beverly continue to have on Houston and honors the renowned career of Dr. Winters and his contributions to cardiology. It also commemorates the legacy and friendship of two dynamic and generous Houston families.

When Dan Arnold was asked to impart his best life lesson as part of the Houston Oral History Project in 2010, he defined his philosophy in two short sentences: "You've got to put more back into your community than you take from it. You can't be a taker, you've got to be a giver.”

The native Houstonian has been giving back to his community for more than six decades. A lawyer and banker by trade, he has volunteered much of his time to leadership roles that included the creation of the Harris County Hospital District and the Houston Area Urban League, chairmanship of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, the local Red Cross, the Baylor College of Medicine board and a host of other civic causes. Even in his 30s, Dan Arnold was able to get things done with consensus and a spark of humor - he believed in a collaborative approach and solving Houston's problems became his forte.

Along the way, he met an up-and-coming young cardiologist. He and Dr. Bill Winters knew many of the same movers and shakers and shared a common bond – they liked to work behind the scenes and avoid the limelight. Over the years, their children played sports together and the families became friends.

The Arnold's three adult children ­ Alice, Susan and Steven - had long wanted to find a health care cause that would help patients and also honor their parents, but Beverly and Dan Arnold preferred to do things quietly and didn't want their names on anything. However, when their children suggested honoring Dr. Winters - whom they call "Grand Doc" - the Arnolds were on board. They let their friends know about the endowed chair, and their initial generous contribution - complemented with gifts from the Arnold and Winters children, along with 61 friends and community leaders - grew to Houston Methodist's largest endowed chair supported solely through philanthropic funds within just a few weeks.

"To have the Arnold family name on this chair is really very special,” Dr. Winters says.

"I don't know of anybody who's done more for this community than Dan Arnold. I hope the holders of this chair will perpetuate the service, integrity, honesty and sense of excellence that Dan and Beverly have portrayed through the years.”

The presidential distinguished chair provides for the recruitment and retention of cardiology's most gifted physician-scientists and will help sustain and advance Houston Methodist's role as a leader in heart care around the world. As friends and colleagues of Dr. Michael E. DeBakey (1908 – 2008), Dan Arnold and Dr. Winters hope the chair will help preserve Dr. DeBakey's spirit of innovation and pioneering heart research for many more decades.

Dan Arnold and Dr. Winters are men of the same generation, born in 1930 and 1926, respectively. They worked their way to the top of their professions, earning universal respect and long lists of achievements and accolades along the way. They are published authors, mentors and volunteers.

But what remains most important to both is family. They've been married to their wives - Beverly Arnold and Barbara Winters- for more than 60 years and credit them with raising their children to be good, hard-working people. Now, through the Beverly B. and Daniel Arnold Presidential Distinguished Chair in Cardiology in honor of William L. Winters Jr., MD, their families and their friendship are cemented forever in yet another effort to make the world a better place.

The Cockrell Foundation

Mr. Ernest H. Cockrell, longtime Methodist supporter and a life member of the hospital’s board of directors, was instrumental in bringing the Research Institute to life. The Cockrell family, through the Cockrell Foundation, created the distinguished endowed chair for the president and CEO, first held by Dr. Michael Lieberman and now by Ferrari, and was a key player in the Research Institute’s inception. When asked about its miraculous development over the past eight years, Cockrell shares that he is not at all surprised that a world-class academic research institute was conceived at Houston Methodist.

“When you think about it, I don’t know where else this could have happened. What other institution had the financial wherewithal to do it, or the ability to attract the country’s top medical researchers? What other institution had a history of outstanding governance, both on the hospital level and on the board level? What other institution has a presence and the potential for collaboration offered by the Texas Medical Center? You simply can’t find one.”

ADVANCING PATIENT CARE The Research Institute was founded in 2004 for the sole purpose of supporting, managing and conducting clinical and translational research for the advancement of patient care. As such, it is carrying on the tremendous legacy of Dr. Michael DeBakey, the world-renowned cardiovascular surgeon and medical educator who, during his long tenure at Methodist, developed a great many innovations that are still regarded as the gold standard in heart and vascular medicine.

In 2010, the Research Institute opened the newly constructed, state-of-the-art, 440,000 square foot building adjacent to Houston Methodist Hospital. This expanded the dedicated research space at Methodist to 560,000 square feet for the 1,500 researchers working on translational platform technologies, including nanomedicine, systems medicine, bioengineering and imaging with applications in cancer, neurosciences, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease and infectious diseases, among others. The Cockrell Center for Advanced Therapeutics, which was recently launched to oversee clinical research trials, is located in the heart of the main campus, bridging the Research Institute building to the main hospital.

COLLABORATION IS KEY “We bring physicians, scientists and patients together,” says Edward Jones, vice president and chief operating officer for the Research Institute. “To me, that’s the only way you can really have ‘bench to bedside’ translational research. I am not aware of any institution that does it as thoughtfully as we do.”

Ferrari believes that the Research Institute’s interdisciplinary structure gives it an advantage over more narrowly focused medical research institutions. “The philosophy here is different from others,” he says passionately. “Why have we not cured cancer? It’s because we have always looked at it with the same approaches, under the same group of sciences. To make big breakthroughs against metastatic disease, I am deeply convinced that we need oncologists and biologists together with physicists and engineers and mathematicians and chemists. That’s how new approaches come up. That’s how the new frontiers are discovered. And that’s how we are doing it here.”

LEADING THE CHARGE Ferrari, who joined the Research Institute in 2010 following the retirement of founding CEO Lieberman, is a living illustration of this philosophy. Trained in mathematics and engineering, he was working as a tenured professor at Ohio State University before enrolling in medical school at age 43.

“Here, I can collaborate with the best clinicians and biologists there are in cancer, certainly, but also in all the major fields – neurology, heart, transplant and immunobiology, orthopedics and diabetes and other metabolic disorders,” he says. “That’s how ideas arise – by bringing people of different skill sets together.” Cockrell agrees and adds that the Research Institute has developed as he and others envisioned but much more rapidly than expected. He encourages potential contributors to consider Methodist a wise investment of their philanthropic dollars.

ALL THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS “With Methodist’s track record and the capabilities it has, one can have confidence that this is an institution that husbands its resources well,” says Cockrell. “Secondly, it has the size and critical mass to accomplish things today. The science and clinical care are advancing so rapidly, it takes considerable muscle and focus to be successful. Third, and most important, the Research Institute has the brain power to do this.”

“There’s the confidence in what you have here – stability, sound management, governance, financial strength and the people to do it. You have the ingredients to make something happen. Benefactors and investors can rest easy in knowing that every dollar is not only well used, but that it will have the maximum impact on finding cures and better treatments for today’s most pressing health concerns.”

Emily and Holcombe Crosswell

Houston Methodist nurses exemplify the institution’s I CARE values of integrity, compassion, accountability, respect and excellence. Through outstanding leadership, an exemplary nurse can amplify the ripple effect of these values, serving as a model for his or her entire team. Houston Methodist places these nurses in the spotlight with two annual accolades.

The Crosswell Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program was founded by Emily and Holcombe Crosswell to provide experienced nurses with a deeper understanding of the continuum of care in order to enhance the nurse’s ability to impact and enrich patient care. “Doctors are brilliant,” notes Emily Crosswell, long-time Houston Methodist board member, “but the first responders to a patient’s healing – physically, mentally and spiritually – are the nurses. They’re the listening ears and seeing eyes as to how a patient is improving. I always have felt they are the conduit to the doctors and the confidants of the patients.”

Nurses directly impact nearly every aspect of the patient experience and the Crosswell’s support acknowledges their important role. “I am honored that we can do something to express our appreciation for what nurses do every single day,” Mrs. Crosswell says. She hopes those selected for the fellowship will spread their knowledge to their colleagues. “All good leaders also become mentors,” Mrs. Crosswell explains. “So it’s a ripple effect. My hope is that when the nurses finish this fellowship, their leadership will inspire others to excel.”

THE OUTSTANDING NURSING AWARD is another annual Houston Methodist honor. The prestigious award recognizes a truly outstanding nurse who consistently demonstrates excellence in nursing practice, professional development and dedication to patients. The Outstanding Nursing Award is made possible by a generous grant from The Brown Foundation, Inc. A nurse must be nominated and meet an extensive list of requirements to qualify. By aiding in the development of leadership skills among nurses and by rewarding those who excel, Houston Methodist seeks to advance the level of patient care while also attracting the best and brightest nurses in the nation.

Woodforest Bank Sky Plaza

Homegrown Woodforest National Bank's community spirit and generosity set the course for Houston Methodist's newest community hospital. The bank's $1 million commitment 15 Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital's first major philanthropic gift- and the largest to any Houston Methodist institution outside the Texas Medical Center.

Woodforest National Bank and Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital represent different industries but share a common goal: to help care for the communities they serve. Their similar missions presented the opportunity for a natural collaboration, and in late 2016, Woodforest National Bank committed $1 million to name one of the new hospital's most public places and support its excellence fund.

"Not only are we thankful to Woodforest National Bank for its remarkable gift, but we’re also extremely proud that our institutions share common values and the commitment to serve The Woodlands and surrounding communities with integrity and purpose,” says Debra Sukin, regional senior vice president and CEO at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital.

The excellence fund advances the hospital’s highest priorities, accelerating innovative research and physician recruitment in key clinical areas to bring leading medicine to the community.

The hospital’s sky plaza – Woodforest Bank Sky Plaza – is among the most prominent spaces in the new hospital, a busy public area for patients, visitors, physicians, administrators and staff, and the place for future hospital and community gatherings.

With its roots in Texas, Woodforest National Bank has grown into one of the strongest banks in the nation, with more than 740 locations in 17 states, and employing more than 5,000 people. Woodforest employees proudly serve through community lending, investments and volunteer service hours. Every day they live out the “Woodforest Commitment” of earning their customers’ loyalty by offering the highest level of customer service and competitive products and services while giving back to their communities.

“Our demonstrated commitment to our communities is a perfect match for a partnership with Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital. Our gift to the excellence fund provides the forum for our organization to work together with a focus on offering the best programs, on delivering leading medicine right here in The Woodlands and in making a positive impact on our friends and neighbors.”

Cathy Nash

CEO, Woodforest National Bank

Vicki and Carl Baucum

As she had done for years, in 2012, Vicki Baucum scheduled her annual mammogram for early October. When her doctor, Keith Reeves, requested she undergo additional testing, she hardly gave it a second thought. “I have dense breast tissue, so additional testing was not uncommon,” she says.

But just because a test is routine, it doesn’t mean the results will be predictable. A week before Thanksgiving, Dr. Reeves delivered life-altering news to Vicki and her husband Carl: The additional tests revealed she had a malignant tumor. The diagnosis launched them on a 10-month journey underpinned by faith and trust. Dr. Reeves, now retired and the former chair of Houston Methodist’s Center for Restorative Pelvic Medicine, immediately arranged for Vicki to meet the next day with Dr. Jenny Chang, director of the Houston Methodist Cancer Center and holder of the Emily Herrmann Chair for Cancer Research. “Dr. Reeves told me, ‘Whatever she tells you to do, you do; she knows more about breast cancer than anyone, so trust her completely.’ And, that’s what I did,” Vicki says.

When Vicki and Carl arrived at their first meeting with internationally renowned physician Dr. Chang, they came armed with notepads, ready to take notes for later reference. After their first few minutes with her, Dr. Chang requested Vicki’s pad and pencil. “She said, ‘I’ll take the notes, you just listen.’ We listened and immediately felt totally at ease and confident that we were in the right place. I never worried and always felt most positive about my future. I trusted Dr. Chang completely and had a very strong faith that God was by my side.” Dr. Chang forthrightly yet compassionately told Vicki she had grade 3 triple-negative breast cancer, and it was very aggressive. She followed this up with a single reassuring promise, “I will help you fight this.”

As with her diagnosis, Vicki’s treatment plan came together very fast. The following week, she underwent a battery of tests as Dr. Chang collaborated with a team of expert colleagues from Houston Methodist and around the world to create a unique and tailored treatment regimen, which would include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.

Dr. Chang recommended chemotherapy first, thereby allowing her to study the effects of the chemo on the tumor.

Triple-negative breast cancer accounts for only 15 percent of breast cancer cases, and the disease does not respond to therapies targeting the three receptors known to cause the majority of breast cancers. Vicki became part of a clinical trial using a taxane-based chemo. After four infusions, the tumor had nearly doubled in size. “Triple-negative breast cancer is difficult to control,” Dr. Chang explains. “Unlike other cancers, we don’t know what causes it. It’s genetically unstable, so the treatment is not targeted – instead there are multiple targets that must be treated.” Dr. Chang then started Vicki on a combination chemotherapy called AC, which required an infusion every three weeks. During this time, Dr. Chang received results of a genetic analysis she ordered, and it revealed that Vicki’s tumor was made up of not one, but two different mutated genes.

Armed with this additional information, Dr. Chang and her colleagues again tweaked Vicki’s treatment and supplemented the AC infusions with weekly infusions of the targeted blocker EGFR, which specifically targeted one of Vicki’s two mutated genes.

Vicki and Carl’s confidence in Dr. Chang never wavered. Never were they surprised when she would suggest additional ways to attack Vicki’s most unusual cancer. So, when Dr. Chang recommended adding another type of chemo infusion, coupled with a daily targeted blocker in pill form, there was no hesitation. The couple agreed.

The revised regimen quickly improved Vicki’s prognosis. By May 2013, the tumor shrunk to less than its original size, providing the ideal circumstances for Dr. Barbara Bass, John F., Jr. and Carolyn Bookout Presidential Distinguished Chair, to remove what was left.

In all, during a 10-month period, Vicki received 28 infusions, participated in a clinical trial, underwent surgery and had 33 rounds of radiation. She and her husband also formed lifelong bonds with Dr. Chang and many others at Houston Methodist.

Now, more than a year later and in remission, Vicki says, “I do not have any bad memories. All of my memories are of caring and nurturing people -- the parking attendants at the Outpatient Center, greeters, receptionists, infusion nurses, technicians, pharmacists, dieticians, Dr. Chang and her group of doctors – each person was part of a team that helped me along this journey. I was confident, as well as energized, by the entire Houston Methodist team. Not to be overlooked is the significance of the unceasing support I received from family and friends. There were many prayers said, meals provided, cards, visits and phone calls. All of these things contributed to a successful outcome.”

Grateful and appreciative of the care they received, Vicki and Carl considered ways to show their thankfulness. Most particularly they wanted to support Dr. Chang and her research. Their decision was made after learning about CREDO: The Center for drug REpositioning and DevelOpment. Many of the drugs approved by the FDA for other uses may hold promise for the treatment of breast cancer. But a program has never existed to test their effectiveness on this disease. CREDO fills this void. By repositioning existing approved drugs, researchers will avoid significant costs and the decades-long discovery process, ultimately providing faster treatment to patients. This leading medicine research has the potential to transform the treatment of breast cancer patients. The Baucums gave a dollar-for-dollar match in support of CREDO program fundraising. At the time of publication, they had raised more than $300,000.

An example of the type of promising drug repositioning opportunities available includes the discovery of a new molecule that was tested as a post-heart attack treatment. While the drug failed in its intended heart therapy purpose, preliminary findings in patient-derived animal models show that it may provide a novel approach to overcoming treatment-resistant triple-negative breast cancer. Currently, no targeted treatment exists for this aggressive form of breast cancer.

“Cancer care is more science than art, but you need to be able to provide the most effective treatment and encourage new findings in treatment and research while having the ability to help patients and their families through a difficult time,” Dr. Chang says.

The Baucums, she says, showed amazing strength and courage throughout, and Vicki endured her rigorous treatment with great stoicism.

Vicki says, “A very important ingredient in this process is having faith in God, your doctors and yourself. Triple-negative breast cancer is a disease the world doesn’t really know much about.

“But, if you’re going to receive a triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis, Houston Methodist is where you need to be,” Vicki says. “Trial and discovery, plus faith-based medicine – it’s truly the Houston Methodist Cancer Center way.”

Dr. Jenny Chang’s pioneering work has helped transform triple-negative breast cancer research, providing hope for those diagnosed with this aggressive disease.