Innovator Series spotlight

Advancing care across St. Luke's Health

Jim Parisi and Guest

The St. Luke’s Foundation’s Innovator Series provides exclusive opportunities for donors, board members, and friends to grow their understanding of St. Luke's Health's clinical excellence and to stay informed about the innovative programs that are transforming patient care at our hospitals. Most recently, the foundation was thrilled to host two inspiring Innovator Series events, bringing donors into intimate conversations with some of St. Luke’s Health’s most extraordinary medical minds. These gatherings underscored the profound impact of philanthropy in accelerating groundbreaking medicine and enhancing patient care across our community.

Pioneering cardiothoracic medicine at Baylor St. Luke's Medical CenterIngrid Bond and Shanda Blackmon

On Feb. 10, donors and foundation board members gathered for an insightful breakfast at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center. The event featured two giants in cardiothoracic medicine: Dr. Shanda Blackmon and Dr. Marc Moon.

Dr. Blackmon, a leader in minimally invasive lung surgery and head of the hospital's Lung Institute, shared exciting advancements in pulmonary medicine. She passionately articulated how philanthropic support is crucial for acquiring state-of-the-art equipment and providing essential resources that ensure access to her life-saving work. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of the meticulous precision and innovative techniques that define modern lung care.

Following Dr. Blackmon, Dr. Moon, a pioneer in aortic and valve surgery, captivated the audience with a walk through the rich history of cardiovascular care at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center. He paid homage to the hospital's legendary legacy, famously initiated by Dr. Denton Cooley, and illustrated how this tradition of excellence continues today, driven by relentless innovation and donor commitment.

Revolutionizing cancer care in The Woodlands

The following evening, Feb. 11, attendees gathered in The Woodlands for another impactful Innovator Series event, featuring the dynamic Dr. Angela Coscio. As the head of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at The Woodlands Hospital, Dr. Coscio provided invaluable insights into the latest advancements in cancer treatment and groundbreaking breast cancer research.

Her presentation sparked fantastic conversations among attendees about the vital role philanthropic support plays in fast-tracking innovation and directly improving patient care at The Woodlands Hospital. These discussions highlighted how donor generosity directly translates into expanded treatment options, leading-edge technologies, and enhanced patient outcomes within our community.

Adding to the excitement, the foundation was proud to announce a significant philanthropic commitment from Woodforest Charitable Foundation, to support the hospital’s planned upgrade of its mammography unit. This incredible gift underscores the power of partnership in advancing women’s health. 

Support critical programs across St. Luke's Health!

Are you interested in supporting vital women’s health initiatives in The Woodlands, or learning more about how your gift can accelerate groundbreaking cardiothoracic programs at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center? For inquiries regarding The Woodlands Hospital, please reach out to Debra Richmond at debra.richmond@commonspirit.org. For questions about supporting Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center, please contact David Pillen at david.pillen@commonspirit.org. Your generosity truly makes a difference across all crucial areas of care within St. Luke's Health.