Houston Methodist has received a transformational gift from longtime supporters Ann and John F. Bookout III to establish The Bookout Center for Medical Innovation, Technology, Research and Education in the Houston Methodist Academic Institute.

 

The Bookout Center will build on the success of the Houston Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation and Education (MITIE), created in 2007 through the vision and leadership of John’s father, Mr. John Bookout, who remains an active Houston Methodist Board member at age 100 and served as its chair from 1991-2007.

 

“We’re excited and humbled to have the support of the Bookout family,” said Marc L. Boom, M.D., president and CEO of Houston Methodist. “The Bookouts believe in what our physicians, researchers and scientists do to bring life-changing treatments to our patients and community, and this gift will help us build on our legacy of leading medicine. We are so very grateful for this gift.”

 

The Bookout Center will further enhance the use of robotics and imaging in medicine, not only for patients at Houston Methodist but also for patients all over the world. The Bookout Center will support health care professionals at all levels and specialties as they learn and hone surgical skills in simulated, highly realistic environments by using tools such as virtual reality, robotics, artificial intelligence and high-resolution imaging and diagnostics.

 

Alan Lumsden, M.D., Walter W. Fondren III Presidential Distinguished Chair in the Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center and Chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, will be The Bookout Center’s medical director.

 

"The Bookout Center will complement our existing programs with robust research, clinical trials and the expertise to develop further innovation in these fields,” Lumsden said. “We are grateful to the Bookouts for giving us the opportunity to lead the world in developing and refining these life-saving technologies, which will continue to improve outcomes and recovery times for patients.”

 

John Bookout has a long legacy of supporting surgical training at Houston Methodist, working with the former chair of surgery Barbara Bass, M.D.

 

“With her, my father was instrumental in creating MITIE and making it among the world’s most effective virtual hospitals and clinical training facilities,” said John Bookout III, a former chair and current member of the Houston Methodist Academic Institute Board. “It is a pleasure for us to continue the legacy he started nearly 20 years ago. The hospital’s commitment to innovation is unmatched, and we are proud to help Houston Methodist continue leading medicine.”