Greeting from Dr. Brett P. Giroir

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Student Colleagues:

As announced this morning by President Loftin, I will assume the role of Interim Executive Vice President for Texas A&M Health Science Center beginning October 1, and I could not be more enthusiastic about embracing this unique opportunity.  As a career academic physician-scientist, I am keenly aware of the commitment and sacrifice required by all of you who dedicate your lives to improving human health from the classroom, research bench, administrative office, or at the bedside.  As such, it is nothing less than a profound honor and privilege to be entrusted with this responsibility as we pursue our collective passion to improve the human condition, both across Texas and around the globe.

Having worked in the A&M System for the past five years, I am familiar with the dynamic history of our Health Science Center – as well as our opportunities and challenges – and I am optimistic about our future.  Despite our relative adolescence as an academic health center, we have the real potential to develop rapidly into an internationally leading institution by building upon our current strengths and resources, developing new and “non-traditional” interdisciplinary R&D programs, and enhancing the quality, intensity, and scope of our clinical partnerships.  In short, we are in the enviable position of being able to define our institutional future in a way that could improve human longevity and quality of life for generations.

My first step, and that of my transition team, will be to enter into “receive mode.”  For me to be effective in this role, I need to fully understand the organization, our opportunities, challenges, and dreams.  Most importantly, I am anxious to meet and become a colleague to all who breathe life into our Institution.  Equipped with this information, I will best be able to assist in developing a strategy to realize our shared vision for uncompromised excellence in all aspects of our mission:  education, basic and translational research, patient care, advocacy, and service.

Finally, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Mr. Jere Pederson, who has successfully led our Health Science Center through critical milestones including the 2013 Texas legislative session and approval of our merger with the University.  We are indeed fortunate that Jere will remain a resource to the HSC throughout this academic year, and we intend to utilize his talents to the highest possible degree.

Starting immediately, my team will be scheduling meetings, interviews, site visits, and open discussion forums.  I want to hear from you – faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders alike.  In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at brett.giroir@tamus.edu, or contact my office at (979) 458-6054.

Thanks and Gig’em!

Brett

Brett P. Giroir, M.D.
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives, Texas A&M University System
Professor, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center
Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Dwight Look College of Engineering
Adjunct Professor, The Bush School of Government and Public Service