University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

About the University
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), the most comprehensive academic health center in The UT System and the U.S. Gulf Coast region, is home to schools of biomedical informatics, biomedical sciences, dentistry, medicine, nursing and public health. UTHealth educates more healthcare professionals than any health-related institution in the State of Texas and features the nation's seventh-largest medical school. It also includes a psychiatric hospital and a growing network of clinics throughout the region. The university's primary teaching hospitals include Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital and Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital. Founded in 1972 by the U.T. System Board of Regents, UTHealth's 10,000-plus faculty, staff, students and residents are committed to delivering innovative solutions that create the best hope for a healthier future.

Office of the President
An internationally known researcher and pediatrician, Giuseppe N. Colasurdo, M.D., was appointed president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and the Alkek-Williams Distinguished Chair Oct. 22, 2012.

He became dean and H. Wayne Hightower Distinguished Professor in the Medical Sciences of The University of Texas Medical School, part of UTHealth, Sept. 1, 2007. Dr. Colasurdo will continue to serve as dean until a national search for his successor is completed.

Born in Morrone Del Sannio, Italy, Dr. Colasurdo completed his undergraduate education at The Liceo Scientifico "Galileo Galilei" in Pescara, Italy. He earned his medical degree summa cum laude from G. D'Annunzio School of Medicine in Chieti, Italy. Determined to achieve the best medical training in the world, Dr. Colasurdo decided to come to the United States in 1988.

He completed his residency at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and his fellowship at the University of Colorado Health Science Center and the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver. In Colorado, he worked in the laboratory of Dr. Gary L. Larsen and initiated his studies on the autonomic regulation of the airway smooth muscle, the biology of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, and ontogeny of airway dysfunction and inflammation in childhood asthma.

Dr. Colasurdo joined the Medical School's faculty in 1995 as an assistant professor of pediatrics in the Division of Pulmonary Medicine. He became the division head in 1997 and started directing the fellowship training program in pediatric pulmonary medicine in 2001. He was named chair of the Department of Pediatrics in 2005.

The physician-in-chief at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital and the David R. Park Professor in Pediatric Medicine, Dr. Colasurdo specializes in RSV, pediatric asthma, and other lung disorders in infants and children. Dr. Colasurdo has received research funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Children's Miracle Network, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

His numerous awards include the Dean's Excellence Awards, the David W. Smith Trainee Award from the Western Society for Pediatric Research, and the Basic Scientist Development Award from the National Institutes of Health. In 2008, he received Houston's Executive Communicator of the Year Award from the International Association of Business Communicators; the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Department of Pediatrics at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB); was elected to faculty membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society-Houston Delta Chapter; received the Facolta di Medicina e Chirurgia Award from the G. D'Annunzio School of Medicine in Chieti, Italy; and received the Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, presented by the Consul General of Italy.

In addition to publishing more than 120 manuscripts, abstracts, book chapters, and review articles, Dr. Colasurdo holds editorial reviewer positions on several scientific journals, including The American Journal of Physiology, The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, and Pediatric Pulmonology.

A strong proponent of preserving and promoting the best in medical education, Dr. Colasurdo brought to the UTHealth Medical School two fellowship training programs recognized by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education: pediatric pulmonology and pediatric critical care. He also created a Division of Medical Education in the Department of Pediatrics dedicated to focusing on new strategies and technologies for resident learning.

As dean, Dr. Colasurdo developed a structure to promote health care quality and safety throughout the clinical, research, and educational missions of the Medical School. He also promulgated a Scholarly Concentrations Program aimed at helping medical students enrich their academic pathways into medical specialties. Under his leadership, the UT Physicians clinical practice of the Medical School has expanded beyond the confines of the Texas Medical Center and into the neighborhoods of Houston and surrounding areas.

Board certified in Pediatric Pulmonology and licensed to practice medicine in Italy, Texas and Colorado, Dr. Colasurdo remains an active clinical pulmonologist and has hospital privileges at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital, which is part of the Harris Health System, and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is the CEO and president of UT Physicians, the medical practice of the UTHealth Medical School, one of the fastest growing academic medical practices in the country.

The University's Council system is representative of the various constituencies within UTHealth and devotes itself to the overall governance of the university in accordance with UT System rules and policies. Issues relating to faculty, staff, students; education, research endeavors, clinical activities; and the collective mission and vision of UTHealth may be brought to these councils.

Leadership Councils

• University Executive Council (reports to the President)
• This council meets monthly and is comprised of executive leadership from across the university. The council's primary function is to advise the President on key issues related to university governance and operations.

University Leadership Council (reports to the President)
This council meets quarterly and is comprised of key university leadership stakeholders and chairs of University Councils. The University Leadership Council serves as a forum for the bi-directional communication of ideas and information between the University and the faculty, students and staff in the Schools. This council receives and reviews reports from the Constituency and Topical Councils as well as addresses issues of institutional diversity.

Constituency Councils

• University Classified Staff Council (UCSC) (reports to the COO/CFO)
• University InterFaculty Council (IFC) (reports to the Executive Vice President for Academic and Research Affairs)
• Student InterCouncil (SIC) (reports to the Executive Vice President for Academic and Research Affairs)

Topical Councils

• University Safety Council (reports to the Executive Vice President for Academic and Research Affairs)
• University Research Council (reports to the Executive Vice President for Academic and Research Affairs)
• University Information Technology Governance Council (ITGC) (reports to the COO/CFO)

Giving to the University

Make a Difference in the Lives of Others

Your generous philanthropic support of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston is a vital part of accomplishing the university's mission: To educate health science professionals, discover and translate advances in the biomedical and social sciences, and model the best practices in clinical care and public health.

The Office of Advancement is actively engaged in advancing philanthropic support for the Dental Branch, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the Medical School, the School of Public Health, the School of Nursing, the School of Health Information Sciences, The University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center, and The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases.

Ways to Give
There are almost as many ways to make a donation as there are needs to be met. Explore the section below to discover ways to make a gift.

From cash to securities to deferred gifts, there are numerous ways to show your support of the cutting-edge research and high-caliber training taking place at the health science center.

Alumni Giving
Alumni, more than any other group, understand the importance of strong financial support for the health science center. The tradition of alumni giving builds upon today's strong educational foundation to make tomorrow's revolutionary discoveries possible.
Annual Giving
Every year, the institution has more requests for unbudgeted funds than can be met. Your gift to the annual fund can bridge these gaps in funding to enhance the university's programs of education, research and community service.
Corporate Giving
Support from the business sector helps The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston advance research, improve clinical care, and provide quality education to tomorrow's scientists and clinicians.
Endowments
Endowments are a crucial recruitment and retention tool that may honor faculty with endowed positions, attract top students with endowed scholarships, and help the institution fulfill its mission of providing excellence in education, as in the case of endowed lectureships, fellowships, and awards.
Gift Planning
Many gifts can be structured to benefit you and your family now, and then support the health science center in the future. Learn about all the options available in our Gifts at a Glance section.
Honorary and Memorial Giving
There are a variety of ways to create a lasting legacy to recognize a family member, friend, business associate, or mentor and at the same time make a positive impact on medical education, research, and clinical care at the health science center.

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Degree Programs :

Medicine

Dentistry

Nursing

Video Presentation

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston: Katrina Part 2