Professors Receive Covenant Health System Endowments

Future pediatric and oncology patients will benefit from the establishment of the Covenant Health System David R. Close, M.D., Endowed Chair in Oncology and Covenant Health System Robert Moore, M.D., Endowed Chair in Pediatrics.

The announcement signifies the commitment to an ongoing partnership between Covenant Health System and the School of Medicine to provide more local opportunities for medical research and education.

Patrick Reynolds, M.D., Ph.D.

Patrick Reynolds, M.D., Ph.D., professor of cell biology and biochemistry, pediatrics and internal medicine and director of the School of Medicine Cancer Center, is the recipient of the Covenant Health System David R. Close, M.D., Endowed Chair in Oncology.

Close, the first board certified oncologist in Lubbock and for whom the endowed chair in oncology was named, continues to care for patients as an oncologist at the Covenant Joe Arrington Cancer Research and Treatment Center. He said he is honored and humbled to have a small part in ensuring continued research and education in the local medical community.

Adaobi Kanu, M.D.

The recipient of the Covenant Health System Robert Moore, M.D., Endowed Chair in Pediatrics is Adaobi Kanu, M.D., associate professor of pediatric pulmonology and director of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at the School of Medicine.

The endowed chair in pediatrics was named in memory of Moore, a board certified pediatrician who passed away in 2001. During his career, Moore developed and chaired the university's first department of pediatrics. He was also instrumental in opening the first neonatal nursery between Dallas and Denver.

Executive Vice President and Provost and School of Medicine Dean Steven L. Berk, M.D., said Reynolds and Kanu, the recipients of the endowed chairs, display Moore and Close’s insight, passion and dedication to the future of medicine in the region.

“The endowed chairs will facilitate the collaborative efforts of the School of Medicine and Covenant Health System in the areas of oncology and asthma,” Berk said. “Endowed chairs are a testimony to the strong relationship between TTUHSC and Covenant and the commitment of both institutions to provide optimal patient care and research.”

The endowed chairs specifically provide funding for pediatric asthma education and clinical research in oncology. Covenant Health System President and CEO Richard Parks said pediatrics and oncology were identified as clinical care areas that could benefit from additional resources.

"Covenant is committed to creating healthy communities and these endowed chairs bring us one step closer to achieving that goal," Parks said. "The knowledge and insight gained through research will directly enhance care provided to our pediatric and oncology patients."