Covenant Health System and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Name New Endowed Chairs

The Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and Covenant Health System have announced the establishment of two new endowed chair positions.  The new positions, and continuing partnership between the two organizations, will provide more opportunities for medical research and education.

Dr. Patrick Reynolds, who is the director of the Texas Tech Health Science Center School of Medicine Cancer Center, has been named the Covenant Health System David Close Endowed Chair in Oncology.

The second position is the Covenant Health System Robert Moore Endowed Chair in Pediatrics.  That will be filled by Dr. Adaobi Kanu, director of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at the Texas Tech Health Science Center School of Medicine.

TTUHSC Executive Vice President and Provost and School of Medicine Dean Dr. Steven L. Berk said Dr. Reynolds and Dr. Kanu, the recipients of the endowed chairs, display Dr. Moore and Dr. 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.”