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Hermann Hospital (Houston, Tex.) With digital objects
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E. W. Bertner and Texas Children's Foundation Trustees

Texas Children's Hospital Foundation Trustees inspecting the site of the Children's Hospital and Research Institute in the Texas Medical Center, November 9, 1947. Left to right: Dr. David Greer, President of the Children's Foundation; Nina J. Cullinan; Dr. John K. Glen; Dr. E. W. Bertner, President of the Texas Medical Center; D Leopold L. Meyer, Treasurer of the Children's Foundation; Dr. George W. Salmon; and Dr. A. Lane Mitchell.

Texas Children's Hospital site Inspection

Texas Children's Hospital Foundation Trustees inspecting the site of the Children's Hospital and Research Institute in the Texas Medical Center. Left to right: Dr. John K. Glen; Dr. E. W. Bertner, President of the Texas Medical Center; Dr. David Greer, President of the Children's Foundation; Leopold L. Meyer, Treasurer of the Children's Foundation.

Interview with Dr. Louis Faillace

This Digital Audio Tape (DAT) contains an interview with Louis A. Faillace, MD, founding Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and onetime Acting Dean at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. The interview took place on September 29, 1995. The interviewer is unnamed, and the recording runs 1:24:37.
(0:01) Louis A. Faillace, MD recounts being recruited to the faculty of the University of Texas Medical School in Houston by Dr. Cheves Smythe. He relays his emphasis on biological psychology. He highlights the opportunity he saw in building a new school of medicine, contrasted with the challenges he encountered. He discusses Hermann Hospital, Dr. Smythe, the recruitment of faculty—some of whom he deemed “tigers”—and local and state political structures impacting the school. He laments the passing of Frank Erwin, who he claims “protected” school and its interests.
(14:40) He discusses Cheves Smythe, Bob Tuttle and Roger Bulger. He also traces with the development of Psychiatry at UT Houston, including the acquisition of more beds and funding.
(17:09) He recounts Cheves Smythe’s removal.
(22:35) He discusses Bob Tuttle, the improved relationships across departments, and Truman Blocker’s tenure.
(24:45) He discusses teaching and students. He notes that teaching was emphasized in the Psychiatry Department and argues it should have been more central in the rest of the School. He also discusses funding, “power brokers,” Baylor, and UT’s place as the “new kid on the block.”
(28:27) He discusses Hermann Hospital and the scandal there. He mentions Bill Smith, the trustees, the private doctors there. He also returns to the topic of power structures in the city and disparities between UT and Baylor.
(31:53) He mentions Bob Tuttle’s departure. He discusses Ernst Knobil and Knobil’s recruitment by Roger Bulger.
(35:26) He recounts his role in establishing UT’s affiliations with Harris County Psychiatric Center and the Texas Research Institute of Mental Sciences (TRIMS). He states, “I got ‘em both. Nobody else…. They’re there because of one person, that’s me.” He describes political maneuverings with Governor Hobby, Roger Bulger, and the State Legislature.
(42:04 He goes into more detail relating his pursuit of TRIMS, later the UT Mental Sciences Institute. He references Gary Miller, Charlie Mullins, and Stella Mullins.
(52:10) He recounts his appointment and service as Acting Dean of the Medical School.
(1:04:00) He gives his account of the Hermann Hospital story. He details conflict among John Ribble and the Department Chairmen, and ultimately his own firing.
(1:12:32) He returns to his time as Acting Dean to detail efforts to establish an affiliation with Lyndon Banes Johnson Hospital.
(1:18:40) He offers his thoughts on the state of medical care, particularly with regards to psychiatry, including the influence of managed care.
(1:22:00) He reflects on the state of UT Medical School in Houston. He emphasizes his focus on being a teacher and clinician.

Faillace, Louis

Texas Medical Center aerial

Aerial view of the Texas Medical Center looking northwest. Baylor College of Medicine is in the foreground, with Hermann Hospital, and the Hermann Professional Building behind it. Rice University is also visible in the background. Much of the surrounding area remains wooded.

Interview with Richard S. Ruiz, MD

A Conversation with Richard S. Ruiz, MD. with N. Don Macon. Produced by UT/TV Houston, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Copyright 1911. 1/22/1991. Runtime is 29:52 minutes.
(0:33) Don Macon introduces the program as part of a series on the history of the Texas Medical Center. He introduces the interviewee, Dr. Richard Ruiz, Director of the Hermann Eye Center and Professor and Chairman of Ophthalmology at The University of Texas Medical School. He notes that Dr. Ruiz is a native Houstonian, whose father had also been a physician in Houston. Dr. Ruiz shares some details of his upbringing and education.
(1:53) Ruiz elaborates on his decision to become a doctor and his experience at the UT Medical Branch in Galveston, where he graduated in 1957. He recounts faculty members who were there at the time, like Chauncey Leake, Truman Blocker, and Raymond Gregory.
(3:48) He discusses his selection of a specialty. He had been interested being an internist and spent time at Mylie Durham’s family practice. He decided on a surgical specialty, started his internship at Hermann, and eventually chose to focus on the eye.
(4:59) Ruiz discusses physicians at Hermann at the time of his internship, including Director Leigh Crozier.
(6:22) He elaborates on his selection of ophthalmology as a specialty. He cites the influence of several physicians. He speaks about the current state of getting into ophthalmology programs.
(8:27) Ruiz speaks about his next steps: interning at Hermann, going to Wayne State University in Detroit, completing a retina fellowship at Harvard, and then returning to Houston.
(8:47) He discusses moving into the Herman Professional Building and setting up his practice in Houston. He speaks further about his involvement at Hermann, including in the Residency Training Program. He mentions work at St. Joseph’s, Jefferson Davis/Ben Taub, Baylor College of Medicine, and in Galveston.
(11:26) Ruiz describes an opportunity he had to lead the Ophthalmology Department in Galveston. He reports declining the chance, citing his deep investment and involvement in Houston.
(12:24) He discusses getting involved at M. D. Anderson. He was asked to be Chief of Ophthalmology at Hermann in 1967. He speaks more about forming a group, naming Charlie Russo, Malcom Mazow, Bob Stewart, and Bob Wilkins.
(14:34) From there he relates the development of the Hermann Eye Center. He stresses the role of technology. He also speaks to the politics of its creation and relationship to the medical school. He cites the support of various foundations in raising funds.
(19:40) Ruiz further describes the structure and operations of the Hermann Eye Center. He speaks about the Houston Eye Associates.
(22:15) He speaks to the Eye Center’s service to Hermann Hospital. He highlights the Hermann Eye Fund and how the Center handles indigent patients.
(23:34) He discusses Truman Blocker’s time in Houston and his support for the Eye Center.
(27:14) Ruiz discusses his children and their careers.
(28:32) Macon concludes the interview congratulating Ruiz for his accomplishments.

Ruiz, Richard S.

Interview with Walter G. Sterling

Walter G. Sterling. Interview by Don Macon. Mr. Sterling, a native of Chambers County, is current Chairman of the Board of Hermann Hospital Estate and has served on that board since 1950. He recalls his personal and family history and talks in some detail about the background and activities of his father, Ross S. Sterling. He discusses his role in the history of the Hermann Hospital Estate, the Hermann Hospital, the Texas Medical Center and the establishment of the UT Medical School at Houston. 28:45. 12/4/1973

Sterling, Walter G.

Texas Medical Center aerial

Aerial view of the Texas Medical Center looking south. Hermann Hospital and the Hermann Professional Building are in the foreground, with Baylor College of Medicine, M. D. Anderson Hospital, and Methodist Hospital visible further back. The area behind the hospitals remains wooded.

Dorsey, Paul