Cook Children's creates $10 million endowed chair program

Cook Children's Health Foundation on Thursday said it established a $10 million program of endowed chairs "to recognize the great work of two innovative physicians." Drs. Warren Marks and Paul Thornton, the Fort Worth-based pediatric healthcare organization said, "have focused their efforts on developing unique programs to help patients who may not find the same level of care outside of the south and western United States." They were honored at a Thursday night reception.

"Dr. Marks will develop a comprehensive clinical center for pediatric movement disorders," building on an existing neurosciences program, Cook Children's said in a news release. "Dr. Thornton will help to further the work of the Cook Children's Congenital Hyperinsulinism Center, which has a national reputation and continues to gain prominence."

The organization said the endowment "is a significant commitment to the Cook Children's Promise to improve the health of every child in the region and will provide the funding the physicians need to support those efforts." It said three additional recipients will be named in the future.
-- Jim Fuquay