Houston Methodist has received a transformational $25 million commitment from The Duncan Fund to support the Houston Methodist Department of Medicine.

In recognition of this gift, the hospital will rename the largest department in its system the Charles W. Duncan Jr. Department of Medicine at Houston Methodist.

 

“We are deeply appreciative of the Duncan family’s support, which allows us to further programs at the intersection of personalized medicine and preventive health care to benefit our patients,” said Dr. Eleftherios Mylonakis, chair of the department and the Charles and Anne Duncan Presidential Distinguished Chair.


Mylonakis said The Duncan Fund gift represents a fundamental shift in the work of the department, which comprises 14 clinical programs, five of which are nationally recognized by U.S. News & World Report.

“Our vision is to redefine how care is delivered in our country by creating a national model for true continuity — one that follows the patient across every transition, from home to hospital and back again,” said Mylonakis. “We are also advancing a deeper understanding of health span, shifting from reactive treatment to a proactive, lifelong strategy that maximizes not just how long we live but how well we live.”

 

Specific clinical and research areas the philanthropic commitment will target include: streamlined coordination of complex, multidisciplinary care by hospitalist physicians; programs that leverage data and artificial intelligence to tailor treatments and preventive strategies as well as reduce readmission rates; and the addition of five endowed fellowships, including a new MedTech Innovator fellowship to empower students to play a crucial role in research and technology advances.

 

Longtime supporters of Houston Methodist, the Duncan family has also served in key leadership roles at the institution. The late Charles W. Duncan Jr., an entrepreneur and statesman, was a lifetime member of the hospital board, and his son, Charles W. “Carlos” Duncan III, currently serves on the Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation Board. The family’s most recent gift expands their multigenerational support of the Department of Medicine and the hospital’s ongoing efforts in translational research, training and education.

 

“Houston Methodist’s commitment to its patients, research and future physician leaders is admirable. We’ve seen this firsthand both as patients and as our family has supported the organization over the years. Through The Duncan Fund, our family foundation, we are pleased to honor dad’s lifetime of service to Houston Methodist and to offer our support as the Department of Medicine continues to leave its mark for those in Houston and beyond,” said Carlos Duncan.

In addition to this new commitment to the Duncan Department of Medicine, the family has championed several academic and medical programs at Houston Methodist, establishing the Charles and Anne Duncan Scholars Program and endowed chairs in nephrology and endocrinology.

 

“The Duncans have been a cherished part of the Houston Methodist family for decades, and their unwavering commitment to our mission continues to help us change lives and lead medicine,” said Marc L. Boom, M.D., president and CEO of Houston Methodist. “We’re deeply grateful to Anne, Leslie and Carlos, and Mary Anne and Bill Dingus for their steadfast support. Their generosity will continue to make a meaningful impact for years to come.”

 

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