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Christian Messa Major UTMB construction project to offer
best of form and function GALVESTON, Texas — Through generous contributions from The Wortham Foundation Inc. and Galveston/Houston philanthropists Pat and Fred Burns, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston is adding significant aesthetic elements to a campus centerpiece under construction on the east end of the university grounds, north of Market and Sixth streets. This site will include a lushly landscaped plaza, featuring a two-level parking area and fountain. The goal of the construction project is to further strengthen the “healing environment” on campus, making it more accessible, welcoming and nurturing to patients, employees, students and visitors. The new centerpiece on the east end of the 84-acre campus is also a vital step in improving public access to existing and future clinical, educational and research buildings that are part of UTMB’s 20-year plan. Beginning at Market Street, a new entry will flow into a central plaza designed as a respite area for the campus. In addition, the new University Plaza will provide more patient and visitor parking and way-finding features near key clinical facilities. Bounded by Darrell Royal Avenue on its south side, Texas Avenue to the north and UTMB’s R. Waverley Smith Pavilion to the west, the plaza project is scheduled to be completed in August. The Sealy & Smith Foundation — which is dedicated to improving the health of Galveston Island residents through grants to UTMB — made a pivotal contribution to the effort when its board of directors allowed UTMB to construct the plaza on land the foundation owns. Few medical centers have the opportunity to expand. Thanks to the foresight and generosity of The Sealy & Smith Foundation, UTMB has the opportunity to develop and implement the 20-year expansion project, which will create approximately 3.3 million square feet of new or renovated space for the UTMB campus in addition to improved access. The plaza will be the centerpiece around which this expansion will take place. Through grants from The Wortham Foundation of Houston and the Burnses, the plaza will be much more than a parking lot. It has been designed with a multiple-tier fountain, patient-friendly walkways and seating, and landscaping to provide shade and create an environment that will reduce the tension and stress often associated with visits to large medical centers. The concept of creating a healing environment is based on research being conducted across the nation that documents how allowing patients to view and interact with nature and elements of the visual arts helps promote healing. A $355,000 Wortham Foundation grant will support the plaza project, financing the construction of a fountain, seating and inviting brick walkways along the plaza’s perimeter. Pat and Fred Burns matched The Wortham Foundation’s contribution to the plaza beautification project, providing for an artistic element and landscaping. Fred Burns is the chair for UTMB’s Timeless Values, Pioneering Solutions campaign, a $250 million comprehensive fund-raising initiative. He is also chairman of John L. Wortham & Son L.P., a Houston insurance brokerage and risk-services firm. Pat Burns serves on the advisory councils of UTMB’s schools of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences. She is a member of the university’s Development Board as well. Members of this volunteer organization help create fund-raising strategies for UTMB and act as its “ambassadors” by leading outreach efforts to alumni, patients and other supporters. Another UTMB project designed with the comfort of patients, health care providers and visitors in mind is the Family Garden. Located near the Children’s Hospital, off the main hallway in the John Sealy Hospital, the garden will be a place where children can play and others can enjoy the lushly landscaped, stress-free oasis. The project is made possible by an additional $50,000 grant from The Wortham Foundation. UTMB President John D. Stobo said the support by The Wortham Foundation, the Burnses and The Sealy & Smith Foundation will provide visible evidence of the university’s commitment to a healing environment. “These benefactors are helping us establish not only a very critical access point to the east end of our campus, but one that offers an inviting and comfortable atmosphere for our patients, students and staff — one that will be conducive to healing mind, body and spirit,” Stobo said. “Their contributions to these projects are really contributions to the health and well-being of those we serve. The results of the University Plaza project will remind us all of the generosity and vision of the Burnses, The Sealy & Smith Foundation and The Wortham Foundation for many years to come.” Established in 1922 in Galveston, The Sealy & Smith Foundation is dedicated to helping UTMB further its patient care mission. John Sealy II and Jennie Sealy Smith incorporated the foundation to perpetuate the philanthropic legacy of their father, John Sealy. Since its establishment, the foundation has donated more than $500 million to UTMB programs of excellence that enhance the quality of, and access to, patient care services. Dedicated to the cultural arts and civic beautification, The Wortham Foundation has supported campus improvements at UTMB, including helping restore the Ashbel Smith Building, which housed the university’s entire medical school when it opened in 1891. In addition, The Wortham Foundation gave $50,000 for the construction of the Gus and Lyndall Wortham Fountain on the western side of the UTMB campus. The fountain is named in memory of the influential Houston philanthropists and civic leaders who established The Wortham Foundation in 1958. Ardent UTMB supporters, Pat and Fred Burns have contributed to such programs and initiatives as the School of Nursing scholarship fund, Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Diabetes Center and Russell Shearn Moody Distinguished Chair in Cognitive Rehabilitation. Pat Burns served as honorary co-chair of the university’s Cognitive Rehabilitation Initiative, which funded three endowed faculty positions: the Russell Shearn Moody Distinguished Chair, Fannie Kempner Adoue Distinguished Professorship and Catherine E. Koester Professorship. In addition to their contributions to UTMB, the Burnses have actively supported the preservation of historic Galveston. UTMB
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