The Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, part of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, will be featured at 2 p.m. Monday, May 28, on KLRN Digital Channel 9.2 (called Encore). This channel is available to digital TV viewers in San Antonio and South Texas.

Barshop Institute interviews and footage are included in a segment about aging with dignity that is part of a 13-episode public television documentary called “State of Tomorrow.” The segment will air again at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 29, also on Encore.

Barshop Institute Director Arlan G. Richardson, Ph.D., and Steven N. Austad, Ph.D., appear in the segment.

“State of Tomorrow examines some of the biggest challenges facing Texans today,” according to a press release from The University of Texas System. “Watch as innovators across the state make breakthroughs in medicine, science, technology, national security and environmental quality.”

The high-quality series, which is made possible by AT&T, ExxonMobil and IBC Bank, and which was co-produced by The University of Texas Foundation and Alpheus Media in partnership with KLRU-TV of Austin, highlights faculty throughout the state’s public higher education systems during the 13 half-hour programs.

The systems include The University of Texas System, Texas A&M University System, Texas State University System, Texas Tech University System, University of Houston System and University of North Texas System.

To read a summary of Episode 9, which includes the Barshop Institute interviews, navigate to www.stateoftomorrow.com/episodes/episode09.htm

The Robert Tucker Hayes Foundation has donated $1 million to support leading-edge cancer research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio). The gift established the Robert Tucker Hayes Distinguished Chair in Oncology. Tyler J. Curiel, M.D., one of the nation’s leading cancer researchers, was named the holder of the distinguished chair.

“Bob and Patty’s gift played a critical role in helping recruit Dr. Curiel to San Antonio,” said Health Science Center President Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D. “Dr. Curiel brings expertise and leadership that will enable our university to further strengthen our clinical practice and enhance existing cancer programs. Bob and Patty Hayes are making vital advancements in cancer research and care possible in San Antonio,” he said.

Dr. Curiel recently joined the faculty of the School of Medicine and also serves as director of the San Antonio Cancer Institute and assistant dean of oncology. The San Antonio Cancer Institute is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer center, one of only two NCI centers in Texas to hold this prestigious national distinction. The San Antonio Cancer Institute is a joint program led by the Health Science Center and the Cancer Therapy & Research Center. The other Texas NCI-designated cancer center is The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Dr. Curiel earned his medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine and his M.P.H. from Harvard University. His research team is fundamentally altering how researchers undertake immune-based treatments for cancer with early encouraging results from clinical trials. Findings from his cancer research were recently published in three separate issues of the prestigious journal Nature Medicine. “We think we have a good idea that could make a real difference to patients with cancer. The gift from Mr. and Mrs. Hayes will be an important contribution to our efforts at a critical time in our research,” Dr. Curiel said.

Mr. Hayes is a graduate of Harvard College, and the former chairman of Hayes Leasing Company, which held Avis franchises in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio. The franchise grew to become the largest Avis franchise in the nation when Mr. Hayes sold it in 1998. The Robert Tucker Hayes Foundation supports numerous charitable organizations nationwide, with an emphasis on medical research, including endowments at UT Southwestern for centers in behavioral brain science and mineral metabolism research, and chairs in nephrology and cardiothoracic surgery.

“Patty and I are pleased to support the Health Science Center. The university is a valuable asset to the future of health for this community, and we wanted to make an investment that would help enhance its impact,” Mr. Hayes said. “We believe Dr. Curiel will put our money to work in a way that really advances cancer research,” he said.

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The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is the leading research institution in South Texas and one of the major health sciences universities in the world. With an operating budget of $536 million, the Health Science Center is the chief catalyst for the $14.3 billion biosciences and health care industry, the leading sector in San Antonio’s economy. The Health Science Center has had an estimated $35 billion impact on the region since inception and has expanded to six campuses in San Antonio, Laredo, Harlingen and Edinburg. More than 22,000 graduates (physicians, dentists, nurses, scientists and allied health professionals) serve in their fields, including many in Texas. Health Science Center faculty are international leaders in cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, aging, stroke prevention, kidney disease, orthopaedics, research imaging, transplant surgery, psychiatry and clinical neurosciences, pain management, genetics, nursing, allied health, dentistry and many other fields.

San Antonio (April 17, 2007) – A chain of people – including an adolescent cancer survivor, a medical student, a research fellow, and a physician and scientist – symbolized the impact of The Greehey Family Foundation’s $25 million gift to The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio during today’s ceremony honoring Bill Greehey and his family.

In recognition of the contribution, Health Science Center President Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., officially changed the names of the North Campus and the Children’s Cancer Research Institute to the Greehey Academic and Research Campus and the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, respectively.

To make it official, Dr. Cigarroa and Mr. Greehey rode a lift to the top of the research institute and pulled a rope revealing the new name, while confetti showered the crowd, balloons were released and music played.

The $25 million donation is the single largest private gift ever received by the Health Science Center and is one of the single largest cash contributions in the history of The University of Texas System and the city of San Antonio.

The gift will enable construction, survivorship, educational and research programs that will benefit children with cancer and chronic diseases, as well as their families, health professions students and fellows, physicians and bench scientists.

A great gift and a great name

Calling it a “transformational gift,” Health Science Center officials said that they expect the contribution to have a positive impact on San Antonio, the state and the world.

“The Greehey Academic and Research Campus and the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute are now permanently identified with the Greehey Family, one of the greatest names in business, humanitarianism and philanthropy in our nation,” President Cigarroa said. “This $25 million donation is an unprecedented and transformational gift for the health of children and families in South Texas. Having Mr. Greehey and his family on our campus today truly makes this one of the most special and meaningful days in our history.”

A tireless advocate for giving back to the community, Mr. Greehey stepped down as Valero Energy Corporation’s chairman earlier this year to focus his full attention on his many philanthropic endeavors and his role as chairman of NuStar Energy L.P. and NuStar GP Holdings, LLC.

“San Antonio is very fortunate to have a world-class research facility here in our hometown,” Mr. Greehey said. “But as I always say, it wouldn’t be a great facility if it weren’t for all of the great people. This facility has attracted some of the top researchers in the nation and has a great leader in Dr. Cigarroa.

“We believe that this gift will help draw more world-renowned researchers in the future and will put the Health Science Center on the path to becoming one of the very best research facilities in the world. We have no doubt that the important work going on here will lead to breakthrough discoveries that will help save the lives of children — not just in San Antonio, but around the world,” he said.

Leading the fight against cancer

The $25 million gift provides:

• $4 million for students, in the form of scholarships for future clinicians and scientists focused on the health of children;

• $4 million for community outreach, to support pediatric patients and their families;

• $5 million for faculty, to recruit and retain world-class clinician-scientists to translate the latest discoveries to the bedside; and

• $12 million for capital, for state-of-the-art cancer research laboratories.

Joan and Chris Edelen of San Antonio were among the hundreds present to thank the Greehey Family. The Edelens have two sons, Christopher, 13, and Daniel, 10. Three years ago, Daniel was diagnosed with leukemia. Since that time, he has spent many days warming the hearts of the nurses, residents, doctors and other patients at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital, the Academic Children’s Hospital for the Health Science Center.

“Daniel and his family are true heroes,” President Cigarroa said. “As a family, they have been champions for curing childhood cancer and have been strong supporters of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.” He invited Mr. Edelen to the lectern to speak about the family’s experience. Daniel Edelen was unable to attend because he was taking the TAKS test at school.

‘God left her here for a reason’

Brittany Galan, 15, who was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia as a toddler, was treated at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital and has been disease-free for 13 years. She and her mother attended the Greehey celebration to express their thanks.

“She always says God left her here for a reason,” said her mother, Rosalia Hilario. “She was diagnosed at 6 weeks old, and they told me she had a 10 percent chance of survival. I said, ‘I’m taking you up on that 10 percent.’ And, she is here today.”

Brittany is a student at Bernard Harris Middle School. Chemotherapy put her a couple of years behind in her academic career, but she has made a great comeback. Her favorite subjects are American history and English, and her dream is to become a physician. She is doing so well that she only returns for checkups annually.

Brittany and Daniel exemplify the countless children and families that the Health Science Center will help through the Greehey Family Foundation’s gift.

At the Greehey CCRI, 10 laboratory teams are studying the molecular mechanisms by which cancer strikes in childhood, with an eye toward how it impacts adults, as well.

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The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is the leading research institution in South Texas and one of the major health sciences universities in the world. With an operating budget of $536 million, the Health Science Center is the chief catalyst for the $14.3 billion biosciences and health care industry in San Antonio’s economy. The Health Science Center has had an estimated $35 billion impact on the region since inception and has expanded to six campuses in San Antonio, Laredo, Harlingen and Edinburg. More than 22,000 graduates (physicians, dentists, nurses, scientists and allied health professionals) serve in their fields, including many in Texas. Health Science Center faculty are international leaders in cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, aging, stroke prevention, kidney disease, orthopaedics, research imaging, transplant surgery, psychiatry and clinical neurosciences, pain management, genetics, nursing, allied health, dentistry and many other fields. For more information, click on www.uthscsa.edu.

Laredo (March 28, 2007) – Thanks to a $10,000 grant from The Alphonse Siros Charitable Trust, four students studying to be respiratory therapists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio’s Laredo Campus Extension will each receive $2,500 scholarships. Most of these students will remain in Laredo or go on to practice in other underserved South Texas communities.

The late Alphonse Siros was a World War I veteran. Later, as a bighearted, successful businessman, he generously donated his time and knowledge to numerous civic organizations in South Texas. Along with his sister, Lou Vena Siros, an instructor at the Laredo Junior College, he created The Alphonse Siros Charitable Trust in 1986 to provide scholarships for deserving students in Laredo. Mr. and Mrs. William Dickinson of Laredo serve as the current trustees.

The scholarship recipients are Veronica Chavez of the respiratory care degree program class of 2007, and Roberto Gonzalez, Maria Morales and Aaron Munoz of the class of 2009.

The respiratory care program at the Health Science Center was established in 1994. Since then, the program has graduated numerous highly qualified professionals who are working in the field. In 2001 the program expanded to Laredo to meet a critical need for respiratory therapists in South Texas.

Since 2003, nine students have graduated from the Laredo program. A 10th student is a candidate to graduate this August. Of the 10 graduates, seven have been hired and will remain living and working in Laredo and the surrounding area. In addition, three students entered the program in the fall of 2006, and all of them plan to stay in Laredo and work.

Here are brief profiles of the graduates already working in Laredo and contributing to the city’s health and economy:

• Anna Elizondo, 2003 graduate, is the program coordinator and instructor for the respiratory care program at the Laredo Campus Extension. Elizondo works part time as staff therapist at Laredo Medical Center and is a member of the respiratory intubation team.

• Carolina Mendez, 2003 graduate, is a staff therapist at Laredo Specialty Hospital. Mendez works part time as staff therapist at Laredo Medical Center and is a member of the respiratory intubation team.

• Claudia Cantu, 2005 graduate, is a staff therapist at Laredo Medical Center and a member of the respiratory intubation team.

• Chris Garcia, 2005 graduate, is a staff therapist at Laredo Medical Center.

• Mayra Gonzalez, 2005 graduate, is a staff therapist at Doctors Hospital of Laredo.

• Erika Mendoza is a staff therapist at Laredo Medical Center and member of the respiratory intubation team.

• Myrna Tamez is a staff therapist at Laredo Medical Center and member of the respiratory intubation team.

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The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is the leading research institution in South Texas and one of the major health sciences universities in the world. With an operating budget of $536 million, the Health Science Center is the chief catalyst for the $14.3 billion biosciences and health care industry, the leading sector in San Antonio’s economy. The Health Science Center has had an estimated $35 billion impact on the region since inception and has expanded to six campuses in San Antonio, Laredo, Harlingen and Edinburg. More than 22,000 graduates (physicians, dentists, nurses, scientists and allied health professionals) serve in their fields, including many in Texas. Health Science Center faculty are international leaders in cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, aging, stroke prevention, kidney disease, orthopaedics, research imaging, transplant surgery, psychiatry and clinical neurosciences, pain management, genetics, nursing, allied health, dentistry and many other fields. For more information, click onwww.uthscsa.edu.