AUSTIN – The University of Texas System Board of Regents today appointed Dr. David L. Callender the next president of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
Dr. Callender, who on April 16 was named the sole finalist for the post following a national search, becomes that institution’s fifth president since it was established in 1891. He will succeed Dr. John Stobo, who last year announced he would step down Aug. 31.
Dr. Callender’s appointment as president designate is effective July 1. He will work closely with Dr. Stobo until the end of August.
“We believe Dr. Callender has a demonstrated record of experience and accomplishments that will serve UTMB and the state well during this pivotal transition period,” Regents’ Chairman James R. Huffines said. “He is, without question, the right individual to lead this dynamic institution into greater prominence and excellence.”
Most recently, Dr. Callender held the position of associate vice chancellor and chief executive officer of the University of California-Los Angeles Hospital System. He also was an adjunct professor of surgery at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and is a member of the governing board of the University Health Consortium. Prior to that he held numerous positions at the UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, including the posts of executive vice president and chief operating officer.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, a medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and an M.B.A. from the University of Houston.
“This appointment marks an important time for UTMB, Galveston County and the entire UT System community as health issues remain a high priority for Texas and UTMB continues to play a vital role in training future doctors and providing essential care to Texans,” UT System Chancellor Mark G. Yudof said. “He is a superb choice and I am delighted he will be returning to the UT System in this important leadership role.”
“I am honored to be named as the president designate for the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. UTMB occupies a special place in Texas medicine and I am mindful of the responsibility that comes with this appointment", Dr. Callender said. “My family and I are excited about returning to Texas and joining the UTMB family. We are looking forward to working with everyone at UTMB and with our friends, supporters and partners throughout the state to realize the many opportunities that exist for UTMB.”
UTMB is dedicated to educating health science professionals and researchers, caring for patients and advancing human health through research. Established in 1891 as the University of Texas Medical Department, UTMB has grown from one building, 23 students and 13 faculty members to a modern health science center with more than 70 major buildings, more than 2,900 students and house staff and more than 1,000 faculty.
The 84-acre campus includes four health sciences schools, three institutes for advanced study, a major medical library, a network of hospitals and clinics that provide a full range of primary and specialized medical care, an affiliated Shriners Burn Hospital and numerous research facilities that include the only full-sized maximum containment laboratory for the safe study of infectious diseases. In addition, UTMB is home to one of only two national biocontainment laboratories – and the only national lab in Texas – currently under construction.
UTMB is one of six health and nine academic institutions that make up The University of Texas System, one of the nation’s largest higher education systems. The UT System has an annual operating budget of $10.0 billion (FY 2007) including $1.7 billion in research funded by federal, state, local and private sources. Student enrollment exceeded 190,000 in the 2006 academic year. The UT System confers more than one-third of the state's undergraduate degrees and educates nearly three-fourths of the state's health care professionals annually. With more than 80,000 employees, the UT System is one of the largest employers in the state.
