About Us

The McGovern Center for Heath, Humanities and the Human Spirit promotes humanistic teaching, research and change initiatives through programs which nurture the human spirit in health care.

Promoting the human spirit in health care.

Mission and History

The McGovern Center was launched in September, 2004, under the leadership of Dr. Stanley Schultz, Dean of the Medical School at the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center. Dr. Schultz recognized the growing need to educate humane and compassionate care givers who are knowledgeable and committed to the highest standards of professional ethics.

We work in the gaps: between the real and the ideal; between mystery and mastery; between molecules and meaning – between the scientific/technological world of medicine and the power of the human spirit in healing.

To enhance humanism in medicine, didactic teaching is essential but not sufficient. Our faculty not only brings the humanities to students, we also nurture the humanity of students. We aim to educate the emotions as well as the intellect, to nurture the human spirit as well as train the exemplary professional.

Housed in the medical school, the McGovern Center is also engaged with the schools of Public Health, Dentistry, Nursing, and Biomedical Sciences. The Center draws collaborates with Associate Faculty and Fellows from Rice University, the University of Houston, Baylor College of Medicine, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and the University of Texas Medical Branch. The Center is also involved with community organizations including St. Luke's Episcopal health Charities, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Houston Symphony Orchestra, and the Institute for Religion and Health.