The Past is Prologue

A native Houstonian, urologist Dr. J. David Wright has watched the Texas Medical Center grow from an empty field south of Downtown Houston into the largest medical complex in the world, with Houston Methodist Hospital standing at its heart. Although he did not know it at the time, his summer job as an orderly at Houston Methodist in the 1950s would blossom into a lifelong connection spanning his future medical career and beyond.

“Dr. Wright was instrumental in building the foundation of urology in the Texas Medical Center,” says Dr. Kathleen C. Kobashi, the Judith Helmle Shaw and Roy Gordon Shaw, Jr. Centennial Chair and chair of the Houston Methodist Department of Urology. In fact, Dr. Wright operated his own successful practice for decades before joining Houston Methodist in 2004. “It’s been such a privilege to get to know him through his support of the department,” Dr. Kobashi adds. “He really keeps us rooted in the history of Houston, and it’s an honor to carry that torch forward in his name.”

The admiration is mutual. “I think the world of Dr. Kobashi; she’s marvelous,” Dr. Wright says while speaking of his decision to make a legacy gift to the Department of Urology. “I feel close to and greatly respect the hospital, so including them in my will felt natural. I believe Houston Methodist is the best hospital in Houston — and one of the best in the country.” In recognition of his generous commitment, the department’s conference room will be named the J. David Wright, MD Conference Room.

Beyond his philanthropy, Dr. Wright can also be credited with bringing accomplished surgeons to Houston Methodist. As a faculty mentor to promising residents, he helped train a generation of urologists who now treat patients both in Houston and around the country.

Dr. Wright’s eye for medical talent was also instrumental in recognizing the potential of a young physician named Dr. Ricardo R. Gonzalez, whom he hand-picked to be his successor. Dr. Gonzalez not only assumed Dr. Wright’s private practice in 2006 but also later followed in his footsteps and joined Houston Methodist in 2018.

Recently named the Linda and John Griffin Endowed Chair, Dr. Gonzalez shares Dr. Wright’s passion for education. “Our resident program is extremely competitive, so we get the best of the best,” Dr. Gonzalez explains, emphasizing the ways in which teaching pushes him to continually improve. “These are very smart, talented individuals who are asking questions and offering constructive criticism to their instructors. They challenge us to be the best, to be up-to-the-minute in our knowledge.”

As chief of the Department of Urology’s Division of Men’s Health and director of Houston Methodist’s Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Fellowship program, Dr. Gonzalez eagerly anticipates the dedicated time for instruction and research his new appointment will afford him. “Being able to devote protected scholarly time to the work that drives progress — writing, teaching, mentoring and innovating — will build the next generation of treatments and urologists at Houston Methodist.”

As someone currently enjoying his ninth decade of life, Dr. Wright agrees. “The field of urology has advanced so much since I started to practice. I’m excited to see where it goes next.”