HSC Champions

Edward G. Rennels, Ph.D.

Every donor makes a difference. The following are just a few of the many gifts that enable the university to make lives better in San Antonio, South Texas and the world.

• An initial gift of $10,000 from friends, colleagues and former students of the late Edward G. Rennels, Ph.D., established The Rennels Memorial Award for Excellence in Graduate Studies at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio. The gift, which honors Dr. Rennels’ legacy, will provide a scholarship to an outstanding graduate student studying in the Department of Cellular and Structural Biology every year. The gift has since grown to nearly $15,000. During his long and prodigious scientific career, Dr. Rennels became founding chair of the Department of Anatomy, now Cellular and Structural Biology. He was later designated as professor emeritus after his retirement in 1982. Dr. Rennels was passionate about teaching and research and was internationally recognized for his expertise in the structure and function of the anterior pituitary gland. He was instrumental in establishing the gross anatomy program, taught histology and recruited outstanding faculty for the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Rennels died January 31, 2010.“Dr. Rennels deserves a prominent place in the university’s institutional memory. This award honors the significant role he played among the founding faculty, his scientific accomplishments and his influence on students. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of all the contributors. They can all take pride in knowing their regard for Dr. Rennels, expressed through their gifts, will provide a welcome boost to the self-esteem of a series of graduate students at a critical time during their preparation for careers in science.”
  -Vick Williams, M.D., Ph.D., clinical professor, Department of Cellular and Structural Biology

• A gift of $10,000 from Saint Luke’s Lutheran Health Ministries Inc. will support and expand the Nutritional Support of Cancer Patients and Community Education program at the Cancer Therapy & Research Center at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. Cancer and some of its treatment modalities, such as surgery or chemotherapy, can make it difficult for a patient to consume adequate fluids and nutrition. The program provides liquid nutrition as a lifeline to cancer patients at risk for developing malnutrition, and educates patients and the community about proper nutrition and healthy lifestyles with the goal of reducing the lifetime risk of developing cancer. Specialized nutrition support assists patients in maintaining healthy weight, strength and well-being.