GALVESTON, Texas - Two medical pioneers from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston are being honored in the state Capitol with a special display in their honor.
The display honoring the two physicians will be in the downstairs rotunda of the state Capitol on Thursday, May 14.
Dr. Hector P. Garcia, a community leader and activist, was the first Mexican-American to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. A 1940 graduate of UTMB, he was a World War II veteran and founded the American G.I. Forum. He practiced in Corpus Christi and advised several U.S. presidents on numerous issues.
Dr. Herman A. Barnett was the first black graduate of a Texas medical school, graduating from UTMB in 1953. A former Tuskegee Airman, he later became the first African-American member of the state Board of Medical Examiners and the first African-American elected president of the Houston Independent School District Board of Trustees.
"We are honored that these two outstanding physicians graduated from UTMB," said Dr. Ben Raimer, senior vice president of health policy and legislative affairs. "UTMB's commitment to diversity has been instilled at our institution for decades and it's a tradition that we take great pride in."