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Drs. Roshni Mandania, Braden Thomas and Catherine Wiechmann are among 100-plus fellows currently training at Houston Methodist

Good Fellows

anonymous PLANNED gift brings specialists in training to houston methodist The Woodlands hospital
For physicians, learning and training are lifelong processes — ones that follow a distinct structure years after the two-lettered credential "MD" makes its way onto a white coat. Fellowships play a crucial role in that training, enabling doctors to delve into their chosen medical subspecialties.
The flagship Houston Methodist campus, located in the Texas Medical Center, houses fellows who advance their training in subspecialties ranging from advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology to neuro-ophthalmology and neurosurgery.
A $10 million transformational estate gift from an anonymous donor will support fellowship growth and impact residency at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital to meet the growing needs of the community and address the rising demand for specialty care.
"The ultimate benefit of launching educational programs on this campus is that they will expand access for patients in The Woodlands," says Dr. Timothy B. Boone, who holds the Craig C. Brown and Suzanne H. Smith Centennial Chair in Medical Education and is chief education officer of the Houston Methodist Academic Institute. "These programs will draw a new wave of talent. In the long run, we're hoping the best and the brightest will stay in the community to practice and take care of patients."
This will be the first graduate medical education (GME) program offered by a Texas Medical Center institution at one of its regional hospitals. Potential training opportunities could include a core residency in internal medicine and fellowships in cardiovascular disease, orthopedic surgery, pulmonary critical care, and sports medicine, among others.
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“We’re hoping the best and the brightest will stay in the community to practice and take care of patients.”
Dr. Timothy B. Boone
"These generous donors have a passion for education, and they thoroughly love the hospital," says Dr. Boone. "They were especially enthusiastic about supporting education in their own community."
Houston Methodist's GME programs currently include close to 380 residents and fellows in a variety of specialties and subspecialties. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provides some financial support, but it is capped at 197 spots. The hospital covers the rest of the costs, now approaching $20 million per year.
"That's a lot of money toward the commitment the hospital has made to academics," Dr. Boone explains. "That's why philanthropy is critical to help defray the costs of education and training. Our growth depends on the generosity of donors so we can be better servants to our community by being better teachers."
It will be a pivotal moment when Houston Methodist The Woodlands becomes a regional academic teaching campus. Physicians will experience a team-first approach, and they will benefit from a culture of caring — one that keeps the patient at the forefront.
"We are deeply committed to educating medical professionals of the future who will provide that next level of care and expertise for people seeking exceptional health care," adds Debra Sukin, CEO of Houston Methodist The Woodlands and executive vice president of Houston Methodist. "We are excited to build programs of excellence for our community and to retain these young superstars who will serve generations of patients."