MCALLEN, Texas - UTRGV presented the addition of its first endowed chair in orthopedic surgery for the UTRGV School of Medicine during a press conference at the Rio Bank Tower in McAllen on Tuesday.
The chair will be recognized as the Subram G. Krishnan M.D. and Sumant “Butch” Krishnan M.D. Endowed Chair for Orthopedic Surgery. Drs. Subram and Elizabeth Krishnan have endowed three other chairs at UTRGV in the past, including the endowed chair of neurosciences. President of UTRGV, Guy Bailey, introduced the couple at the conference and said the medical advancements they have provided the University have shaped UTRGV’s School of Medicine.
“What this chair does is enable us to recruit the very best physicians and keep them here, the very best orthopedic surgeon,” Bailey said. “What it does is enhance the quality of health care, the quality of the physicians we have in the Rio Grande Valley.”
Donor to the endowment, Dr. S. Krishnan said he has worked in orthopedics for 60 years, with 50 of those years being in the Rio Grande Valley. He said working in the Valley, he would come across untrained people but he began teaching the people around him about orthopedics.
“This endowment is a commitment to healing, to education and to progress,” S. Krishman said. “It reflects our belief in the power of medical science to restore lives and livelihood and not just bones and joys… It is my belief that this medical school will be a beacon of excellence in patient care, compassion and integrity.”
Donor Dr. E. Krishnan also spoke at the press conference and gave advice to up and coming doctors. She said she hopes young doctors who go through the endowment go above giving patients the formality of x-rays and MRIs, but also make an impact on their patients lives.
“Work for a cause, not for applause, Dr. E. Krishnan said. “Give life to express, not to impress. Do not strive to make your presence noticed. Just make your absence felt.”
A recipient of the endowment and son of the donors, Dr. B. Krishnan said it is an honor to have an endowed chair in the place he grew up.
“With the capacity and growth of the valley, people need this kind of care,” said Dr. B. Krishnan. “They do not need to come to Dallas, to San Antonio, to Houston to get this (orthopedic aid) they can get it right there in the Valley. My fervent hope is that this chair allows all of our residents and medical students who leave and go elsewhere to come back and inform the community.”
Editor's Note: The Rio Grande Guardian secured interviews with Drs. Elizabeth and Subram Krishnan at a press conference held to announce the establishment of the endowed chair in orthopedic surgery. Here is the interview:
Editor's Note: The Rio Grande Guardian also secured an interview with Dr. Guy Bailey, president of UT-Rio Grande Valley. He welcomed the investment by the Krishnans. Here is the interview:
