FOR RELEASE: June 9, 2006

GALVESTON, Texas — Dr. Jerry C. Daniels, associate chair of internal medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, has established a scholarship in memory of his wife that will reward students for outstanding academic achievement in the university’s School of Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. The Mary Louise and Jerry C. Daniels, M.D., Ph.D., Endowed Scholarship will be awarded annually, alternating between the two schools.

Daniels, who graduated from the School of Medicine in 1970 and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences three years later, said he decided to create the scholarship after having a conversation with his wife before she died in 2005. Mary Louise Daniels was previously president of the UTMB Faculty Wives’ Club, which worked to raise money for scholarships. “It was Mary Louise’s interest in recognizing academic excellence that influenced me to endow this scholarship,” said Daniels, the Edna S. and William C. Levin Professor of Internal Medicine and professor of microbiology and immunology.

Dr. Valerie M. Parisi, dean of UTMB’s School of Medicine, thanked Daniels for his commitment to the school. “Dr. Daniels’ gift is yet one more deeply generous way in which he has given of himself and enriched the lives and studies of UTMB students,” said Parisi, the Thomas N. and Gleaves T. James Distinguished Chair. “He is truly an institutional treasure.” Parisi also serves as UTMB’s chief academic officer and vice president for academic program administration and services.

Added Cary W. Cooper, Ph.D., dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, “Dr. Daniels’ scholarship will strengthen the graduate school’s ability to attract and recognize top-notch students. We sincerely appreciate his graciousness.”

From 1970 to 1973, Daniels conducted his internship and residency training in medicine at UTMB. He was appointed director of the immunocytology laboratory in the university’s Department of Pathology in 1971. After his two-year fellowship in immunology and rheumatology at Harvard Medical School and Robert Breck Brigham Hospital in Boston, Daniels returned to UTMB in 1975 as a Department of Internal Medicine faculty member. He has since served in many leadership roles, including medical director of University Hospital Clinics, director of the Division of Rheumatology, acting director of the Division of General Internal Medicine, interim co-director of the Division of Cardiology, associate chair of internal medicine for clinical affairs, and interim director of the Division of Hematology and Oncology.

A member of numerous scientific societies and recipient of many honors, Daniels was listed in “The Best Doctors in America: Rheumatology” in 1998–1999 and “Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare” in 2001–2002. The secretary-treasurer of the Galveston County Medical Society, he has received such awards as the John G. Sinclair Sigma Xi Award for Excellence in the Pursuit of Scientific Knowledge, as well as recognition at UTMB with the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Medicine’s Ashbel Smith Distinguished Alumnus Award. Daniels also holds a Mastership with the American College of Physicians. Master is the highest achievement level in the 115,000-member organization, the nation’s largest medical specialty society.

A longtime supporter of UTMB, Daniels has contributed to many programs and initiatives, including the John W. Middleton, M.D., Lecture Series in Pulmonary Medicine and the greatest-needs funds for the School of Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. He is also a charter member of the President’s Cabinet, a volunteer organization that provides financial resources to help advance the mission of UTMB.
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