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t m c » p u l s e | j u ly 2 0 1 5 38 SHORT TAKES Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Heart Institute Announce Affiliation B aylor College of Medicine and Texas Heart Institute today announced a formal affiliation agree- ment that centers on cardiovascular research, education and patient care at the two institutions and at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center, part of CHI St. Luke's Health. The announcement, made by Baylor President, CEO and Executive Dean Paul Klotman, M.D., and Texas Heart Institute Board Chair David Grimes, also outlines the goal of strengthening and expanding the collective cardiovas- cular programs. The affiliation brings two out- standing institutions into closer alignment. The objective is to build on the expertise and synergies of both, with a unified leadership team. The two institutions are jointly recruiting a chief executive officer for Texas Heart Institute who will also serve in a cardio- vascular leadership role at Baylor. "Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Heart Institute have worked together for many years, and several Baylor faculty members already hold leadership positions at Texas Heart Institute," said Klotman. "This affilia- tion formalizes our relationship and emphasizes the importance of having common leadership of cardio- vascular programs." "This affiliation builds upon not only the prominence of both organiza- tions, but a shared vision with global implications," explained Grimes. "This is about further elevating cardiovascular discovery and care on an even brighter international stage. Additionally, we are excited with what this will mean as we work to identify the right CEO to lead our vision going for- ward. With this affiliation, we are well positioned for even greater success." In addition to leading the mission of Texas Heart Institute, the new CEO of Texas Heart Institute will also co-direct the Cardiovascular Research Institute at Baylor, overseeing cardiovascular services at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center. A search is now in progress to find the ideal leader for this effort. This affiliation continues to build on the foundation created by two of the most renowned cardiovascular pioneers, the late Michael DeBakey, M.D., and Denton Cooley, M.D. Cooley, founder and president emer- itus of Texas Heart Institute, has a faculty position at Baylor, serving as Distinguished Emeritus Professor. James Willerson, M.D., president of Texas Heart Institute, said, "The importance of this affiliation cannot be minimized. Texas Heart Institute has been ranked among the 'Top 15' heart care centers in the U.S. for each of the past 24 years consecutively. This will have far-reaching implications on both research and the delivery of care for decades to come across the globe." The institutions will work together on a wide array of cardiovascular issues, including coronary artery disease, ath- erosclerosis and ischemia, heart failure and cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias and channelopathies, congenital devel- opmental heart disease, aortopathies, valvular heart disease, cardiovascular regenerative medicine, heart assist devices, stem cell research and genet- ics. CHI St. Luke's Health, including Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center, will serve as an important partner in the clinical efforts. — Lori Williams, Baylor College of Medicine Memorial Hermann Breaks Ground on $650 Million Texas Medical Center Renovation and Expansion Project M emorial Hermann recently broke ground on the $650 million expansion and renovation of its Texas Medical Center (TMC) Campus. As the Houston region's only full-service health system, this expansion will enable Memorial Hermann to stay ahead of the fast-growing advances in medicine, keep pace with the extraor- dinary growth of the city and, most importantly, meet the health needs of the community for years to come. Local dignitaries, community leaders, affiliated UTHealth physicians and Memorial Hermann leadership all gathered to celebrate the official groundbreaking event. In attendance were: Rep. Al Green; President and CEO of the Texas Medical Center, Robert C. Robbins, M.D. ; Houston City Council Members Jack Christie and Ellen Cohen; numerous staff representatives of local, state and federal officials; Giuseppe Colasurdo, M.D., President of UTHealth and Dean of UTHealth Medical School; Memorial Hermann Health System Board Chairman Will Williams and several other Memorial Hermann System and Foundation board members; and key representatives of Memorial Hermann leadership including President and CEO Dan Wolterman. "I am proud to stand with the lead- ership of Memorial Hermann as they begin the $650 million expansion and renovation of the Memorial Hermann- Texas Medical Center Campus," said Rep. Green. "For nearly a century, Memorial Hermann-TMC has diligently served the community and remained a leader in the fields of medical technology, research and innovation. With the completion of this additional 1.34 million square feet, Memorial Hermann-TMC will be able to better address the growing health care needs of the Greater Houston Metropolitan Region as well as continue to provide access to quality health care for count- less individuals." At the event, Rep. Green presented Memorial Hermann-TMC with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition that saluted the hospital's "continued commitment to providing the latest medical innovations and procedures for treating patients as well as your dedication to exceptional patient care." The Breaking New Ground expan- sion and renovation project began in fall 2014 and is expected to be completed in 2019. Highlighting the project will be the construction of a new patient care building and an additional building that will include parking and infrastructure capabilities to support the new growth. — Kathryn Klein, Memorial Hermann The importance of this affiliation cannot be minimized. [...] This will have far-reaching implica- tions on both research and the delivery of care for decades to come across the globe. — JAMES WILLERSON, M.D. President of Texas Heart Institute