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The Gift of
Good Health
Dr. Eleftherios Mylonakis, chair of the Charles W. Duncan Jr. Department of Medicine
THE DUNCAN FUND STRENGTHENS CONTINUUM OF CARE
For generations, the Duncan family has helped shape Houston’s cultural and civic landscape through steadfast support for education, the arts and medicine. That commitment to public welfare has taken root at Houston Methodist — where scientific discovery meets compassionate service, and where the Duncan name anchors a bold vision for the future.
THE SUBSTANCE OF THE MATTER
Born in 1926, just seven years after The Methodist Hospital opened its doors, Charles W. Duncan Jr. belonged to a generation that laid Houston’s foundation. A Rice University graduate and accomplished business leader, he served as U.S. secretary of energy and deputy secretary of defense under former President Jimmy Carter. As the hospital grew from a 30- bed clinic into a nationally ranked institution, Charles’ legacy evolved in parallel — defined by public service and philanthropy. In 1981, he joined the hospital board and remained a lifetime member. “He had such faith in Houston Methodist,” says Anne Duncan, Charles’ widow and philanthropic partner. “He saw it as a vital part of the city.”
Over the years, the Duncan family has championed Houston Methodist, supporting initiatives within its largest entity — the Department of Medicine. Comprising 14 divisions, five nationally recognized by U.S. News & World Report, the department touches more patients and specialties than any other. In recognition of a transformational 2024 gift from the family’s foundation, the hospital renamed the Houston Methodist Charles W. Duncan Jr. Department of Medicine. “If you’re going to make a difference in medicine, you need to choose institutions that have substance,” says Charles W. “Carlos” Duncan III, son of Charles and Anne. “And Houston Methodist has had our family’s trust for generations.”
AnnE Duncan and Son Carlos Duncan
A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO BETTER LIVING
With a shared commitment to discovery and compassion that echoes the Duncan family’s, department leaders are building systems that prioritize patients and families. When Dr. Eleftherios Mylonakis joined Houston Methodist in 2023 as department head and the Charles and Anne Duncan Presidential Distinguished Chair, his first concern was to understand the daily challenges patients face. “Even small barriers — like difficulty scheduling an appointment — can weigh heavily on people already coping with illness,” he recalls. Listening to their experiences led to changes that improved access and efficiency across the system.
Under Dr. Mylonakis’ leadership, the department honors the Duncans’ generosity through measurable impact: expanded access, improved coordination and research that brings new therapies to the bedside. One signature initiative focuses on extending health span — helping people live not just longer, but better. “For us, longevity is inseparable from vitality,” he says. “Our goal is to help patients stay active, independent and connected to the lives they love.” Preventive programs in bone health, metabolic disease and gastrointestinal wellness are expanding in the department, alongside research into nutrition and the gut microbiome.
Another way innovation is directly benefiting patients is the department’s growing portfolio of translational and clinical research, supported by a robust framework and dozens of clinical trials. “We see clinical trials not only as a way to advance science,” Dr. Mylonakis explains, “but as a way to bring hope — offering access to treatments years before they’re widely available.”
Dr. Eamonn M. M. Quigley, the David M. Underwood Chair of Medicine in Digestive Health, credits the Duncan family for accelerating momentum. “It’s not just additive — it’s multiplicative. Philanthropy creates breathing space for clinicians to collaborate, innovate and bring new treatments to patients.” For staff, patients and families, the Duncans’ legacy serves as a daily reminder that the true measure of progress in medicine is found in the lives restored, comfort given and futures made possible.
Dr. Jawairia Shakil and Dr. Victor J. Narcisse
COORDINATING CARE ON THE FRONTLINES
Patient-centered service and clinical leadership thrive through the work of talented frontline physicians like Dr. Victor J. Narcisse, a hospitalist who describes his role as “the quarterback of the care team.”
“We’re building new infrastructure using digital tools, data integration and AI-assisted platforms to reduce fragmentation and improve continuity,” he says. “The goal is to unburden physicians from administrative tasks so they can spend more time at the bedside — listening, connecting and healing.”
Hospital medicine, a relatively new field within internal medicine, positions physicians at the patient’s side to manage acute medical conditions and coordinate care across specialties. With support from the Duncan family, department leaders plan to launch a Hospitalist Academy to enhance training and foster leadership among hospitalist physicians.
WHERE EXPERTISE MEETS EQUITY
Established in 2011 through an endowment from Charles and Anne, the Duncan Scholars program advances equitable access through the Houston Methodist Community Scholars program. Internal medicine fellows provide direct clinical support at Legacy Community Health clinics, serving patients who are uninsured, underinsured or face significant barriers to care.
Dr. Horacio E. Adrogue, attending nephrologist and nephrology fellowship program director, is a former Duncan Scholar and leads weekly visits to Legacy’s Montrose clinic with fellows in training. “The first time I visited Legacy, the need was clear," he says. "Patients are incredibly appreciative, and the fellows gain invaluable experience managing complex cases with limited resources.”
Dr. Jawairia Shakil, also a former Duncan Scholar and now the endocrine fellowship program director and lead attending at Legacy, adds, “Our fellows see a high number of patients with complex endocrine needs, most of whom would not have access to specialty care without this program.” The Duncan family’s latest gift will expand on this, increasing access to additional specialties and streamlining diagnostics to deliver timely, high-quality care.
A HOSPITAL WITHOUT WALLS
Inspired by the Duncan family’s generosity, physicians in the Charles W. Duncan Jr. Department of Medicine are working harder than ever to achieve a future where health care is seamless, personal and continuous — and where every patient’s story is known and every transition guided with purpose. Dr. Mylonakis envisions a model that replaces a sometimes fragmented care delivery system with lasting, physician-led relationships grounded in trust and communication. In this approach, prevention, early detection and coordinated management come together to protect health and dignity throughout all stages of life.
"THEIR SUPPORT ... GIVES PATIENTS NOT ONLY MORE YEARS OF LIFE, BUT MORE LIFE IN EVERY YEAR."
“The Duncan family is helping make that future possible,” says Dr. Mylonakis. “Their support strengthens the bridge between personalized medicine and preventive care, giving patients not only more years of life, but more life in every year.” By investing in the connection between clinics, specialists and research teams, the Duncans are helping transform health care from a reactive system to a forward-thinking, lifelong partnership.
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