Awards and Lectureships
Elihu N. Root, MD Award for Excellence in Patient Care
Dr. Elihu N. Root was a distinguished member and Chief of the Hematology/Oncology Department at the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. His devotion to bioethics and excellence in oncology and cancer care earned him a place of honor in his field and the admiration of both staff and patients. In his memory, the Elihu N. Root, M.D. Memorial Fund was established to support the oncology efforts of the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Cancer Center.
Awarded each year on Cancer Survivor’s Day, the Elihu N. Root, MD Award for Excellence in Patient Care recognizes physicians and medical professionals working in the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Cancer Center who share the same high standard of medical ethics, understanding and compassion set by Dr. Root.
2023 Honorees: Lisa Lanagan, radiation oncology manager; Jimmy Manguba, IT senior applications pharmacist; Barbara “Barbie” Mullins, infusion patient account analyst; Alan Nguyen, cancer services lead social worker; and LaKeashia Watson, manager infusion pharmacy.
From left: Jane Root; Ashley Alexander; Jennifer Hallmark; Barbie Mullins; Hilary Chandler; Alan Nguyen; Tejash R. Patel, MD; Lisa Lanagan; and John Lyle
From left: Jimmy Manguba and LaKeashia Watson
William D. Seybold, MD Distinguished Lectureship
In 2005, KRF established the William D. Seybold, MD Distinguished Lectureship in partnership with Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). Dr. Seybold was a highly-regarded general and thoracic surgeon who joined his friend Dr. Mavis Kelsey to build the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. If Kelsey was the organizer behind the vision, Seybold was the prestige, a skilled thoracic surgeon with a national reputation.
He would later become chief of surgery as well as chief of staff at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital and president of the Texas Surgical Society. In 1972, he became a clinical professor of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Seybold served as a consultant in surgery at what was then known as UT M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute and also was on the active staff of Methodist and Hermann hospitals.
Each year, KRF selects a leader in the field of surgery who demonstrates a strong commitment to excellent surgical care and research and who carries on the tradition of outstanding care established by Dr. Seybold. This lectureship includes rounds with BCM residents and a morning grand rounds lecture to the BCM, Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, and Kelsey-Seybold Clinic surgery staffs.
View list of past lecturers HERE.
J. Charles Dickson, MD Award for Outstanding Resident Research in Otolaryngology
Dr. J. Charles Dickson was widely respected for his pioneering work in otolaryngology and was considered a foremost authority in the field. Established in 1988 by James Smith, MD, succeeding chief of otolaryngology at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, and George D. Ferry, MD, pediatric gastroenterologist at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic and Trustee of KRF, the J. Charles Dickson, MD Award for Outstanding Resident Research in Otolaryngology recognizes innovative clinical and basic science research in the Bobby R. Alford Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Communicative Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine.
Today, the J. Charles Dickson, MD Award continues to be a fitting tribute to the dedication and influence of an outstanding medical educator.
James L. Smith, MD Award
For nearly 40 years, Dr. James Smith served patients as a physician specializing in otolaryngology at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. He was a fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology and the American College of Surgeons. During his professional career, he served his fellow physicians as Chairman of the Executive Board of Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, President of the UTMB Alumni Association, member of the UTMB President's Council, President of the Texas O&O Society, President of the Houston O&O Society, member of the Board of Governors of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, and Clinical Associate Professor at BCM.
Established through generosity of Mrs. Mimi Dompier and the Bob and Vivian Smith Foundation, the James L. Smith, MD Award is presented annually to the senior Otolaryngology resident at the Bobby R. Alford Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Communicative Sciences at BCM.
View past Dickson and Smith Awards HERE.