Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award: Pedro Mancias
Pedro Mancias, M.D., associate professor of neurology and pediatrics, is the 2008 recipient of the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, which is sponsored by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation.
The award honors faculty who are exemplary in their compassion and sensitivity in the delivery of care to patients and their families, who administer scientifically excellent clinical care, and who serve as role models to students.
Mancias, who also is chief of neurology services at Shriners Hospital and associate director of the child neurology fellowship program, said he was “surprised, thankful, and humbled” by the award.
“I believe it is a privilege to treat patients and help families cope with the variety of neurological disorders we see in neurology,” he said. “Medical education is critical in developing caring, empathetic, professional, and competent physicians.”
Mentoring, Mancias said, is an important part of medical education.
“We all have a variety of mentors throughout our careers,” he said. “People learn best by example rather than by preaching. We all have a duty to be good mentors to our students, residents, and colleagues.”
Mancias said he has a simple recipe for imparting humanism in the medical care he gives: “I treat patients and families just as I would like to have my own family members respected and treated."
Mancias joined the Medical School in 1996. He is a ’88 graduate of the Medical School and completed his pediatrics residency at the University of Arkansas Medical School in Little Rock and his pediatric neurology residency and fellowship in pediatric electromyography and neuromuscular disorders at the Medical School.
His research interests include congenital neuropathies, congenital neuromuscular disorders, and acquired neuropathies.
Previous winners of the award are Keith Hoots, M.D., 2006; Larry C. Gilstrap III, M.D., 2005; Virginia A. Moyer, M.D., M.P.H., 2004; Cheves M. Smythe, M.D., 2003; Oscar Rosales, M.D., 2002; Philip C. Johnson, M.D., 2001; Philip R. Orlander, M.D., 2000; and John R. Stroehlein, M.D., 1999.
-D. Brown
For more Headlines, see Page 2 Stories
Dan L. Duncan Children’s Neurodevelopmental Clinic opens
|
Dan Duncan, from left, Jan Duncan; Dr. Linda Ewing-Cobbs, clinic director; Anthony Butkovich, artist; Randa Duncan Williams; and Charlie Williams celebrate the grand opening of the Dan L. Duncan Children’s Neurodevelopmental Clinic. |
Hundreds of thousands of children in the United States struggle every day with a developmental challenge or learning disability. With new cases being diagnosed daily, the Children’s Learning Institute at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston is responding by opening the Dan L. Duncan Children’s Neurodevelopmental Clinic.
The experts at the clinic specialize in the treatment of autism, head injuries, learning disorders, attention deficit disorders, and much more.
“We have a really strong team of specialists in place that can diagnose and treat children. We want to make a real difference in their lives. The earlier we can intervene the more likely children will go on to conquer their challenges. We want to be a leader in personalized treatment, whereby parents can see and hear the results of their child’s hard work,” said Dr. Susan Landry, director of the Children’s Learning Institute and holder of the Michael Matthew Knight Professor in the Department of Pediatrics.
The clinic, which will help children with their verbal communications and reading and math skills, couldn’t have opened its doors without a generous $10 million donation by the Duncan family.
“It was an easy choice because we’re dealing with our children, our future,” said Randa Duncan Williams, whose child received help at the Children’s Learning Institute. “My family has been very blessed in a lot of ways, and we want to do what we can to provide the resources that will make it easier for families to find the quality, accessible, and professional help they need.”
Named for Williams’ father, the Dan L. Duncan Children’s Neurodevelopmental Clinic is already accepting patients. The director of the clinic is Dr. Linda Ewing-Cobbs, professor of pediatrics, and the medical director is Dr. W. Daniel Williamson, professor of pediatrics.
“One of the highlights is our dyslexia intervention program. We have satellite reading clinics at two HISD (Houston Independent School District) schools. We want to give that extra ‘small group’ help to children using evidence-based approaches to ensure they read and succeed,” Ewing-Cobbs said.
The clinic also will be a home for children and families to address developmental, parenting, and educational needs from babies to young adults.
“We will be evaluating the child to determine strengths and weaknesses. Then we can give the parents a diagnosis and treatment options. Parents come to us because they notice their child is not meeting their milestones, whether it’s physically or verbally, they want answers. We are here to help,” Williamson said.
The Dan L. Duncan Children’s Neurodevelopmental Clinic is located in Suite 880 of the Houston Medical Center building, 6655 Travis. It will be open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday.
For a complete list of services or to make an appointment, visit http://www.childrenslearninginstitute.org or call 713.500.8300.
-M. McDonald
For more Headlines, see Page 2 Stories
Welcoming Dr. Kaiser
Dr. Larry Kaiser, who recently was named president of the UT Health Science Center, meets with Dean Giuseppe Colasurdo Friday, May 9, following his town hall meeting at the IMM.
|
