Texas Medical Center CEO Robert C. Robbins Honored as International Citizen of the Year

HOUSTON, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Affairs Council of Greater Houston today announced it will recognize Dr. Robert C. Robbins, president and CEO of the Texas Medical Center (TMC), as its 2016 International Citizen of the Year. The council will present the award to Robbins at the Jesse H. Jones Award Gala on Sept. 13 at the Hilton Americas.

The World Affairs Council of Greater Houston each year honors a leader in the Houston region who, in the spirit of Jesse and Mary Gibbs Jones, contributes to the international life of the city. Past recipients include Ryan Lance of ConocoPhillips, John B. Walker of EnerVest, James A. Baker, 61^st Secretary of State, and Chad C. Deaton of Baker Hughes Incorporated.

"As the largest medical complex in the world, the Texas Medical Center is home to many of the brightest and most innovative life sciences researchers, clinicians and entrepreneurs," said Sandija Bayot, interim executive director of the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston. "Throughout his travels around the globe, from China to Australia to India, Dr. Robbins is an ambassador for TMC's mission, embodying the spirit of a true international citizen. Dr. Robbins' vision for the TMC attracts Fortune 100 companies, investors and foreign nations that are finding innovative ways to partner with the fine institutions of the TMC."

As a non-profit, non-partisan organization, the World Affairs Council strives to present all sides of current global issues, promotes better understanding of international relations and contributes to national and international policy debates. The Council partners with organizations across the region in efforts to strengthen greater Houston as a global city.

Lead sponsors of the 2016 Jones Award Gala include Chevron, Noble Energy, PwC, Schlumberger, Shell and the Texas Medical Center.

About Robert C. Robbins, M.D.

Robbins joined the Texas Medical Center (TMC) as president and CEO in 2012. Since then, he has significantly enhanced the TMC's commitment to collaboration, introducing five cross-institutional research initiatives centered on innovation, genomics, regenerative medicine, health policy and clinical research.

An internationally recognized cardiac surgeon, Robbins has focused his clinical efforts on acquired cardiac diseases with a special expertise in the surgical treatment of congestive heart failure and cardiothoracic transplantation. His research work includes the investigation of stem cells for cardiac regeneration, cardiac transplant allograft vasculopathy, bioengineered blood vessels and automated vascular anastomotic devices.

Prior to joining TMC, Robbins served as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine, Founding Director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, President of the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (2006), President of the Western Thoracic Surgical Association (2011-2012), President of the American Heart Association Western States Affiliate (2012-2014) and President of the Bay Area Society of Thoracic Surgeons (2006), among other roles.

Robbins was elected to the Houston branch of the Dallas Federal Reserve Board in 2015, Board of Directors of the Welch Foundation in 2014, where he currently serves as Treasurer, and as the President of American Heart Association Southwest Affiliate in 2016. He currently serves on the board of directors for TMC, the Greater Houston Partnership, the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, Houston Academy of Medicine, TMC Library, Houston Technology Center, Greater Houston United Way and the Greater Houston Healthconnect Health Information Exchange.

Robbins's full bio is available online.

About the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston

The mission of the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston is to promote greater understanding of the world — its people, politics, economies and cultures — to enable the Houston Region to participate more effectively in the global community. The Council, which comprises over 7,000 members across the Houston Region, works to inform public dialog through three international focus areas: 1) programs that offer access to government, business and civic leaders from around the globe; 2) education through collaborative educational outreach with schools across the region to educate and engage future generations of global leaders; and, 3) travel focused on cultural exchange and meetings with high-level representatives in regions of geopolitical interest. The Council's motto is: Global Perspectives, Local Conversations. For more details, visit wachouston.org/. 

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SOURCE Texas Medical Center