The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Celebrating the Briscoe Family’s legacy of giving are, left to right: Bill Greehey, chairman of NuStar Energy L.P.; L. David Hillis, M.D., chairman of medicine at the Health Science Center; Governor Briscoe; William L. Henrich, M.D., M.A.C.P., president of the Health Science Center; Janey Briscoe Marmion; and Steven R. Bailey, M.D., chief of the Janey and Dolph Briscoe Division of Cardiology.

Governor Briscoe supports studies of the heart, from the heart

he Honorable Dolph Briscoe Jr. has led an You cannot put a price tag on having more time with your Tamazing and exemplary life: graduate of The University loved one.” of Texas; military service in World War II; eight years in the William L. Henrich, M.D., M.A.C.P., president of the Health state Legislature; six years as governor of Texas; passage of Science Center, said: “Governor Briscoe is a great Texan who, important legislation; leadership in agriculture as a rancher in a Texas-sized way, has given of his own resources to help and major landholder in South Texas. others. Endowments such as the Janey Briscoe Distinguished He also was blessed, for nearly six decades, to be the University Chair are essential to ignite science and bring leading- husband of Janey Briscoe and father of their children. In 2000, edge discoveries to our communities. These funds are the single two years after a major heart attack, Janey lost her battle most critical element in moving the Health Science Center from with heart disease. The Governor credits cardiologists at The a very good academic health center to a great one.” University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio with Dr. Bailey and his colleagues are studying therapies giving him those last two years with Janey. that will lead to true biological reversal of the cardiovascular Governor Briscoe had long been a supporter of the disease process. Research falls into several categories: UT Health Science Center, but since Janey’s passing, he has given more than $9 million and established the Janey Briscoe • improving understanding of the mechanics of heart Center of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research, which attack, heart failure and stroke; Steven R. Bailey, M.D., a renowned interventional cardiologist, • developing methods to deliver genes to the directs. In appreciation, the Health Science Center last year cardiovascular system to heal blood vessels and named its cardiology division the Janey and Dolph Briscoe organs; Division of Cardiology. • developing methods to grow new tissues, with the goal Among Governor Briscoe’s gifts is $1 million invested of forming new arteries and other heart tissues; in the Long Term Fund. It makes possible the Janey Briscoe • developing implantable devices and materials that can Distinguished University Chair in Cardiovascular Research, be reabsorbed by the body once their work is done. held by Dr. Bailey. “Until you need it, you don’t realize what a precious Governor Briscoe has supported various other Health resource we have in the UT Health Science Center,” the Science Center initiatives over the years, and the library at the Governor said in 2008. “I will always be grateful to the doctors Health Science Center is named the Dolph Briscoe Jr. Library. who took care of Janey, especially Dr. Bailey. I have no doubt Mrs. Briscoe was a former member of The University of Texas that they gave me at least two more years to share with Janey. System Board of Regents.