SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 9, 2013) — At the 2013 President’s Gala on Saturday, Sept. 7, William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, president of the UT Health Science Center San Antonio, announced a $5 million gift from the Greehey Family Foundation to the university. This new donation pushes the Health Science Center’s Campaign for the Future of Health over its goal of $500 million.
Dr. Henrich said the campaign momentum was launched through the generosity of NuStar Chairman Bill Greehey. In 2007, the Greehey Family Foundation made a historic $25 million gift to the UT Health Science Center and the Campaign.
The capital campaign fund was created to enhance the university’s research infrastructure by building the South Texas Research Facility and by establishing and sustaining the President’s Excellence Fund, which funds signature research programs and the recruitment and retention of world-class faculty.
“We needed a champion back then, and we found one in Bill Greehey. It’s only fitting that our campaign culminates with a major gift from him,” Dr. Henrich said.
The Greehey Family Foundation’s support has allowed Health Science Center scientists at the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute to dedicate their time to understanding children’s cancer with the goal of creating new and better treatments. The foundation’s gifts also fund student scholarships, community outreach programs, including pediatric patient assistance, and faculty recruitment and retention aimed at advancing the health of children.
The Greehey Family Foundation’s latest gift was announced Sept. 7 during the university’s largest President’s Gala at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio. With more than 1,500 community and academic leaders and students in attendance, this year’s communitywide gala raised almost $600,000 that will be used to establish two funds named for the night’s honoree, Bill Greehey and The Greehey Family Foundation.
The Greehey Family Foundation Endowment for Community Service will support faculty and student programs directly benefitting the health and well-being of the community.
The Greehey Family Foundation Fund for Community Service and Patient Needs also will support the university’s mission of service. It will help address patients’ urgent medical needs.
With the foundation’s emphasis on supporting health and human welfare issues, children’s causes, education and the homeless, Greehey said the foundation’s partnership with the university allows both entities to make more lives better.
“We are proud of our partnership with the UT Health Science Center. By joining forces, the foundation and the university can continue to make a greater difference in the health and well-being of men, women and children — not just in San Antonio, but in communities across the world — thanks to the world-class research that is being done at the Health Science Center,” Greehey said. “And, I am also proud of our collaborative work to provide health and dental care to the working poor and homeless in our community.”
Dr. Henrich said the Health Science Center hosts the communitywide gala to showcase the university’s missions, raise funds to support the work of the faculty and students across the university, and honor exceptional leaders who work to make a difference locally, regionally and nationally.
“At this year’s President’s Gala, we were especially proud to pay tribute to one of our most iconic and admired businessmen and philanthropists, Bill Greehey. Earlier this year, The Harvard Business Review ranked Bill near the top of its listing of The 100 Best-Performing CEOs in the world.
“This recognition of the tremendous success he has achieved as a chief executive officer also reflects Bill’s dedication to his employees, our city and all persons in need. The Health Science Center is thrilled to honor Bill Greehey and The Greehey Family Foundation for their strong commitment to San Antonio and to our university,” Dr. Henrich said.
Mr. Greehey is the Chairman of the Board of NuStar Energy, L.P., and NuStar GP Holdings, LLC, which are both based in San Antonio. NuStar is one of the largest petroleum pipeline and terminal operators in America.
Mr. Greehey established the Greehey Family Foundation in 2004, and it has already given well over $100 million in grants to worthy charities. This includes a $25 million grant to the UT Health Science Center San Antonio to fund children’s health and cancer research, treatment and community service projects.
Endowment funds announced at previous galas include: The Charles Butt and H-E-B Excellence Fund for the Future of Health, 2011; The John T. and Debbie Montford Fund for Cancer Research, 2010; The Briscoe Family Legacy Fund in Women’s Health, 2008; and The Jocelyn and Joe Straus Endowed Chair in Trauma Research, 2007.