Saluting Generosity & Service–
Denton A. Cooley Leadership Award Presented to
Jan and Dan Duncan
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Dr. James T. Willerson, Dan Duncan, Jan Duncan, and Dr. Denton A. Cooley at the Leadership Award event in February 2010 |
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It was with great sadness and shock that we learned of the untimely death of Dan Duncan March 29, 2010.
As evidenced by their having received the Denton A. Cooley Leadership Award earlier this year, Jan and Dan Duncan have been tremendous friends and supporters of the Texas Medical Center as a whole, and of the Texas Heart Institute in particular.
Words are inadequate to express our gratitude to them and our profound sorrow. Dan will be missed in many ways.
Our deepest sympathies go out from the THI family to Jan and the rest of the Duncan family. |
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James T. Willerson, MD
President, Texas Heart Institute at
St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital |
Leaders at the Texas Heart Institute were proud to present Jan and Dan Duncan with the prestigious Denton A. Cooley Leadership Award on February 3, 2010. Both were recognized for their strong support of THI and their unwavering commitment to serving the community through generous contributions that have helped support advancements in research and education for treating cardiovascular disease.
The Duncans' support has significantly aided in THI's adult stem cell research and in the development of LVADs (heart-assist devices) that have saved thousands of lives. Jan Duncan serves as a member of the Board of Trustees at the Texas Heart Institute and Dan Duncan is an honorary trustee. Both have had a profound influence on improving the human condition through their faith, volunteer leadership and extraordinary generosity. They are consistently cited among the top 50 American givers, and institutions in Houston's Texas Medical Center have benefited from their generous gifts. Their philanthropic efforts have aided victims of cancer, heart disease and neurological disorders, not only in Houston, but throughout Texas, across the United States and around the world.
The award was presented to the Duncans by THI founder and the award's namesake, Dr. Denton A. Cooley, and by THI President James T. Willerson, MD. Joining in the ceremonies at THI's annual gala were Dr. John Mendelsohn, president of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Dr. Mark W. Kline, of Texas Children's Hospital and the Baylor College of Medicine.
The Denton A. Cooley Leadership Award, presented by Texas Heart Institute’s National Advisory Council, was established to recognize leadership and meritorious contributions to the advancement of society. Previous honorees include Dr. C. Everett Koop, former president George H.W. Bush, Walter Cronkite, Charlton Heston, Larry King, Betty Ford, Michel T. Halbouty, The Honorable James A. Baker III, Robert C. McNair, The Honorable Rudolph W. Giuliani, Bob Newhart, Tom Brokaw, The Honorable Robert A. Mosbacher Sr., and Dr. Michael E. DeBakey.
We thank Margaret Alkek Williams and the Alkek and Williams Foundation for serving as lead underwriters. We also acknowledge Texas Heart Institute chairman, Meredith J. Long and Cornelia Long who co-chaired the event. THI physician co-chairs included Ali Massumi, MD, David A. Ott, MD, and James T. Willerson, MD.
For information on supporting the Texas Heart Institute, see "Why Support Us?" or contact the Development Office at 832-355-9510.
