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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.