Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP James L. Holly, M.D. Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP


Letters - Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
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February 17, 2017

Mr. and Mrs. Joe R. Long
XXX Xxxxxxx Street, Suite XXX
Austin, Texas  XXXXX

Re:  The Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine

Joe and “Teri,” although, it is contrary to my Southern heritage to address my esteemed elders by their first names, I do so because forever, not only will your names be associated with my professional roots at UT Health San Antonio, from which I graduated 44 years ago, but in a very real sense, the two of you will forever belong to all of us.  It would seem awkward to address dear, beloved friends by a title, so I assume the familiarity of “Joe and Teri.”  And, while this letter is not an official statement of the UT Health San Antonio Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine Alumni Association, it is a heartfelt endorsement by this alumnus who deeply loves our school.

The watercolor and the link to the announcement of this event are included for the benefit of others who will have occasion to read this letter, as it will be posted on Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP website at www.jameslhollymd.com.  And, it is another opportunity for Carolyn and me to revel in the event which you created on February 14, 2017. 

Rather than an announcement, this correspondence is Carolyn’s and my personal affirmation of our delight in the renaming of “our” school with your names.  As I mentioned to you, Mrs. Long,  (it is difficult to ignore by training, so I revert to deferring to your station), I have not been a great fan of the naming of Schools of Medicine after individuals just because they give a large sum of money to an institution, but upon hearing of the renaming of my school in your names, I was instantly and completely delighted.

As I have thought of my comment to you, I realized that your investment in UT Health San Antonio School of Medicine was not an investment in brick and mortar; it was in people.  The Long Scholars program began your support of health education in South Texas twenty years ago.  The lives which have been and which continue to be changed by your vision and philanthropy will bear fruit long after all of us are gone. 

Already, you are into the second generation of health care providers whose careers were launched by you.  It will not be long before the second generation of Long Scholars will be a reality when the child of one of your current scholars is accepted into UT Health San Antonio Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine.  I can envision the third, fourth and tenth generation of Long Scholars caring for Texans and Americans for the next two hundred years.  And, they will now be launched by the school named after you.  This fact has to gratify and to satisfy both of you.

The following is the water color which was executed by Ms. Kris Doyle, Senior Director of Marketing, at UT Health, in honor of the occasion of the renaming of the University Of Texas Health San Antonio School Of Medicine as the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine.  (I enjoy typing that name.)

This painting perfectly captures the spirit of the renaming event. The formal announcement can be read at:  Longs honored, celebrated, applauded

The story of your philanthropy is told in part in this article as follows:

“The Longs initially gave $1 million to UT Health in 1999 to support scholarships for medical students from South Texas, and they followed this with a transformative $25 million gift in 2008 to expand scholarships for students studying to be physicians, nurses, physician assistants or scientists.

“The Longs’ new $25 million gift will establish a $1 million distinguished chair endowment for the dean of the School of Medicine; a $4 million endowment to support scholarships for students from throughout Texas who are attending UT Health and studying to be physicians; and a $20 million President’s Endowment for Faculty Excellence in Medicine.”

Once again the emphasis upon people and upon the lives of people is the hall mark of your heart and passion.  That is clearly reflected in this brief statement.

Please notice that I have already changed my signature to reflect my pride and pleasure in our new name.  “Thank you,” seems so inadequate but, made sincerely and from the depths of my heart, its simplicity accurately reflects Carolyn’s and my personal gratitude to you and the gratitude of the great institution which bears your name.

It is my hope that your lives are enriched in direct proportion to how much your lives have enriched ours.  God bless you both.

 

James (Larry) Holly, M.D.
C.E.O. SETMA
www.jameslhollymd.com

Adjunct Professor
Family & Community Medicine
University of Texas Health San Antonio
The Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine 

Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Internal Medicine
School of Medicine
Texas A&M Health Science Center