Baylor College of Medicine Alumni Association

12/11/2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dr. Charles McCollum, professor in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery. He died the evening of Monday, Dec. 8.

Charley joined the department as a faculty member in 1966 and had served as acting chair, as well as interim chief of both the Division of Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy and the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Dr. McCollum ran general surgery as program director for 23 years. His research focus was on non-invasive studies for the diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease using ultrasound technology.

After completing his medical degree at UTMB Galveston, Dr. McCollum started in internal medicine at the hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, then completed general surgery residency at BCM, followed by a thoracic surgery residency. As a professor at Baylor, he worked with Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, Dr. George Noon, and Dr. Ted Dietrich.

His leadership roles included acting chair, vice chair for education, acting division chief and program and director for vascular surgery and thoracic surgery. He also served as graduate medical education committee chair.

For 23 years, Dr. McCollum served as the program director for the general surgery residency program, holding the Olga Keith Weiss Endowed Chair of Surgery. Dr. McCollum received numerous awards throughout his career including 50 years BCM Service, Alumni Lifetime Achievement, Michael E. DeBakey Distinguished Service and Michael E. DeBakey International Surgical Society.

Recently, the department established the Charles H. McCollum, M.D., Endowed Chair, which will support the department’s educational activities for its residents, fellows and trainees and recognized his 64 years of service.

- Todd K. Rosengart, MD, MBA, FACS

12/02/2025

It’s here at the Baylor College of Medicine! 💙

Today only, your gift can make TWICE the impact thanks to a limited-time $50,000 matching opportunity supporting the research, education and patient care that define Baylor’s mission.

Double your impact. Advance tomorrow’s medicine today.

Give now:

Your generosity this GivingTuesday goes twice as far to support lifesaving treatment and research—plus so much more! Thank you for making double the impact with your donation.

11/22/2025

On This Day in Texas History

In 1964, right here in Houston, Dr. Michael DeBakey and his team performed the world’s first successful coronary artery bypass graft, a breakthrough that changed heart surgery forever. Alongside pioneers like Denton Cooley, Houston quickly became the epicenter of revolutionary advances in cardiovascular medicine, from treating aneurysms and congenital defects to tackling vascular disease.

Just a few years later, in 1968, Cooley and his team completed the first successful heart transplant in the United States. Their patient lived 204 days, an astonishing milestone at the time. By the late 1980s, one-year survival rates climbed to 80%, and many patients have gone on to live a decade or more with their new hearts. Today, heart transplantation is a standard lifesaving procedure, with over 3,000 performed worldwide each year.

11/11/2025

From a 22-year career in the U.S. Navy to mentoring tomorrow’s leaders in pediatric hematology-oncology, Dr. Porea exemplifies service, leadership and excellence.

He now serves as Professor of Pediatrics and Associate Medical Director at Texas Children’s Hospital, while guiding medical students, residents and fellows including those pursuing military service through the HPSP.

His journey from a Baylor student to military physician to mentor of future physician-servicemembers is a powerful reminder of the impact one alumnus can have on so many lives.

Learn more about his story and how he’s supporting the next generation: https://give.bcm.edu/alumnus-spotlight-dr-timothy-porea/

11/10/2025

Congratulations to alumnus Amit Khera, M.D. ’98 on being named the 2025 Chairman’s Award recipient by the American Heart Association.

Today, Dr. Khera serves as Director of Preventive Cardiology and Clinical Chief of Cardiology at UT Southwestern, where his work continues to shape how heart disease risk is defined, predicted and prevented. His research has improved cardiovascular screening tools, empowered physicians with better data, and helped drive a more proactive approach to heart health.

Congratulations, Dr. Khera! We’re proud to celebrate your impact on heart health and the lives you continue to touch.

11/06/2025

On October 23rd, Baylor College of Medicine proudly celebrated 12 remarkable alumni and faculty during the 2025 Alumni Awards at Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District!

This year’s celebration held special meaning as we honored the lasting legacies of health care leaders Matthew J. Wall, M.D. ’84, Res. ’89, Res. ’91, and Stuart Yudofsky, M.D. ’70 — two Baylor giants whose work continues to shape the future of medicine.

We also celebrated the achievements of this year’s honorees across six award categories:

Young Alumnus Award
• Megan Bullerwell, DNP ’13, CRNA, CHSE
• Ronald T. Cotton, M.D. ’06, Res. ’13, Fel. ’15
• N. Thao N. Galván, M.D., MPH, Res. ’15, Fel. ’17, FACS
• Pengfei Liu, Ph.D. ’12, Fel. ’15

Distinguished Alumnus Award
• Tamara N. Alliston, Ph.D. ’98
• Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis, M.D., Sc.D., Ph.D. (Hon.), Res. ’94
• Jessica S. LaCross, M.S. ’02, PAC

Distinguished Faculty Award
• William Fisher, M.D., FACS

Distinguished Service Award
• John F. Anderson, M.D. ’73*

Humanitarian Award
• Joslyn W. Fisher, M.D. ’95, Res. ’98, MPH, FACP

We are so proud of our alumni community and the leaders who continue to elevate Baylor’s legacy every day.

Click the link to learn more about our 2025 Alumni Award winners: https://give.bcm.edu/2025alumni-awards/

11/04/2025

Congratulations to Dr. C. Bob Basu on his appointment as President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the world’s largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons. His term began October 12, 2025 and will run through October 18, 2026.

Dr. Basu completed his plastic surgery training through BCM’s Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery. We're so proud to call him a Baylor alumnus!

10/30/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us this past weekend at the home of Drs. Monica Herrera-Rivera ’92 and Jose Rivera M.D. ’94, Fel. ’94 in Dallas! It was a wonderful evening reconnecting with our Baylor alumni and friends.

Dr. Jesus Vallejo M.D. ’89, Res. ’92, Fel. ’96 shared updates on his new role as Dean of the Baylor College of Medicine Temple Campus and insights into the admissions process.

We're so grateful to our gracious hosts and everyone who made the evening so memorable. We can’t wait to see you at the next Baylor event!

10/08/2025

A 2025 graduate of our medical school, Dr. Austin Huang has been named the recipient of the United States Public Health Service Physicians Professional Advisory Committee Excellence in Public Health Award.

Not only did he receive the college-level award—he was selected for the national honor out of more than 100 nominees, making him Baylor’s first-ever national award winner! 🙌

Dr. Huang is currently a first-year internal medicine resident at Emory University School of Medicine. We’re so proud of his incredible accomplishment.

09/27/2025

BCM Community 5K and Well-Being Fair

09/24/2025

BCM Alumni & Friends – We’re Coming to Dallas! 🌟

Join hosts Monica Herrera-Rivera, M.D. ’92, and Jose Rivera, M.D. ’94, Fel. ’94 for a special evening of connection and camaraderie with fellow alumni.

Featuring special guest Jesus Vallejo, M.D. ’89, Res. ’92, Fel. ’96, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions, Baylor College of Medicine.

📅 Saturday, October 25
🕕 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
📍 Dallas (event address shared upon RSVP)

Reconnect, network, and hear the latest updates from Baylor—all while enjoying light bites, drinks, and great company. Space is limited, so RSVP soon to secure your spot!

👉 RSVP today: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/BaylorCollegeofMedicine/events/2025-dallas-alumni-and-friends-reception

09/19/2025

We’re proud to recognize two incredible Baylor College of Medicine alumni who are stepping into new leadership roles!

Dr. Gary Horn, M.D. ’10 was named Interim Chair of the Department of Radiology. Dr. Horn also serves as Medical Director of Radiology at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center and Vice Chair of Operations, with clinical expertise in prostate and liver imaging.

Dr. Rachel W. Davis, M.D. ’14 was appointed Interim Co-Director of Global Programs. As Director of the Center for Global Surgery, Dr. Davis pioneered the first integrated, longitudinal global surgery training program in the U.S., preparing surgeons to address humanitarian and global health needs.

These two alumni exemplify the excellence, innovation, and service at the heart of Baylor College of Medicine. 💙