Million-dollar gift from Dallas-area couple to benefit Health Science Center

HeadSON_BODY
(L-R) Dr. and Mrs. William Head with Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., president of the Health Science Center, help celebrate the 35th anniversary of the School of Nursing in May.

San Antonio (Oct. 25, 2004) – The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, already a leader in the care of premature, low-birth-weight infants, has received a million-dollar private gift to augment current research and clinical care of these smallest Texans.

The million-dollar gift is from a couple who live near Dallas and is directed to help premature babies in San Antonio and throughout South Texas.

Dr. and Mrs. William Head of Frisco established the “William and Rita Head, in honor of their children, Brice and Gretchen, Distinguished Chair in Developmental and Environmental Neonatology” to support research into the causes of premature births and innovations in the care of high-risk infants, with particular emphasis on the South Texas/Border Region.

Although they have never lived in the South Texas/Border Region, the Heads have traveled there and are touched by the great medical needs in the area. Their gift will support research into the causes and prevention of premature birth, and ensure developmental care for low-birth-weight babies in the crucial first years of life.

Dr. Head is a retired orthopedic surgeon and Mrs. Head is a former nurse.

“Dr. and Mrs. Head represent the finest example of Texans who give so generously to help improve the health and education of the next generation,” Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., president of the Health Science Center, said. “They have also established generous scholarships for Health Science Center medical students and nursing students who expressed an interest in providing care to the South Texas region upon graduation. Now they are going a step further to ensuring the health of our tiniest treasures, our premature infants who need the best care we can offer them.”



Share This Article!