Texas A&M Health Science Center Holds Academic Convocation

On January 24, 2006, the Texas A&M Health Science Center held its convocation to affirm its commitment to the health of Texans with a welcome by George Bush, 41st President of the United States and a keynote address by Drayton McLane, Jr., Chairman of McLane Group, L.P. and CEO and Chairman of the Houston Astros.

“Today is about celebrating our accomplishments as a university and publicly declaring our commitment to providing compassionate care, engaging in superior science and offering exceptional education programs for health professionals throughout their career,” said Nancy W. Dickey, M.D., president of the Health Science Center and vice chancellor for Health Affairs for the Texas A&M System.

During the ceremony, Dr. Dickey established the Health Science Center’s hopes and dedication to providing quality health care education programs to all Texans.

“I share the great hopes that you have, and for what you hope to accomplish at the Health Science Center,” Bush said.

Acknowledging that one of President Bush’s principles, servant leadership, is the beginning to any great organization, the Health Science Center is united by a belief that all people, regardless of geography, economics or culture, deserve the benefits of compassionate care, superior science and exceptional health education.

“On every front—research, education and health care delivery—I believe this Health Science Center is uniquely positioned to make a truly positive and long-lasting contribution,” Bush said.

Keynote speaker Drayton McLane, Jr., said, “The real role of a leader is to find the future.” Quoting an unknown source, McLane continued, “A true leader is a person who takes other people to a place they wouldn’t have gone by themselves.”

Throughout the convocation, Dr. Dickey awarded Presidential Awards for Excellence to individuals who personified servant leadership in the areas of community outreach, health care services and delivery, research, institutional enhancement, education and mentorship, and administrative support.

She also acknowledged multiple faculty and research awards and recognized that the driving force in the research and education programs of the HSC is its commitment to excellence and dedication to improving the quality of health care for all Texans. “Through our dedication to servant leadership across our Health Science Center, we achieve our mission for 2015,” Dickey said, “which is to dedicate the full measure of our resources and abilities to advancing the knowledge and technologies of our professions, and to bringing Texans the finest in health education, promotion and care.”

Speaking to the group of health care professionals Bush said, “I know without a doubt that you will rise to the challenge when it comes. You will know what it takes and that is very, very important.”

The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center provides the state with health education, outreach, and research. Its five components located in communities throughout Texas are Baylor College of Dentistry, the College of Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the Institute of Biosciences and Technology and the School of Rural Public Health.