THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
Resolution
Approving Appointment of Robert C. Bourge, M.D., as the
Next Holder of the Mary Gertrude Waters Chair of
Cardiovascular Medicine
WHEREAS, The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama formally established the Mary Gertrude Waters Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine at The University of Alabama at Birmingham by resolution adopted in 1972; and
WHEREAS, the UAB administration now wishes to appoint Robert C. Bourge, M.D., Professor and Director of the Division of Cardiovascular Disease, as the next holder of the Mary Gertrude Waters Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine, as recommended by Robert R. Rich, M.D., Senior Vice President for Medicine and Dean of the School of Medicine at The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), with the concurrence of the University’s leadership; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bourge, a native of Abbeville, Louisiana, graduated with honors from Louisiana State University in 1975, with a baccalaureate in Zoology; received his medical degree in 1979, from Louisiana State University; and was awarded the Chancellor’s Award as Outstanding Graduating Medical Student; and
WHEREAS, after earning his medical degree, Dr. Bourge began his postgraduate training and completed his residency at The University of Alabama Hospital at Birmingham; and completed a fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease at that same institution in 1984, while serving as Chief Fellow in Cardiovascular Disease; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bourge is Board Certified in internal medicine (1982), in the subspecialty of cardiovascular disease (1985), and nuclear medicine (1987); and
WHEREAS, in the twenty years between 1984 and 2004, he served as Instructor of Medicine (1984-1986), Instructor in Radiology-Nuclear Medicine (1985-1988), Assistant Professor of Medicine (1986-1990), Assistant Professor of Radiology-Nuclear Medicine (1986-1990), Associate Professor of Medicine (1990-1993), Associate Professor of Radiology-Nuclear Medicine (1990-1993), Associate Professor of Surgery-Transplantation (1993), Professor of Medicine (1993-2004), Professor of Radiology-Nuclear Medicine (1993-2004), Professor of Surgery-Transplantation (1993-2004), and served as the first medical director of the heart transplantation program at UAB from 1987-1998; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his current academic appointments, Dr. Bourge is the Director of the Division of Cardiovascular Disease and the Co-Director of The University of Alabama at Birmingham Heart and Vascular Research Center; and
WHEREAS, under the directorship of Dr. Bourge, the Division of Cardiovascular Disease has shown substantial growth and is nationally and internationally recognized for well-funded research activities, and in all clinical areas, and is consistently is ranked as one of the top Heart Hospitals by U.S. News and World Report; and
WHERAS, Dr. Bourge is internationally recognized for his research and clinical activities utilizing new and innovative medical, interventional, and surgical methods which have advanced the science and medical practice of the evaluation and therapy of patients with advanced heart failure and pulmonary vascular disease, the field of heart transplantation and heart and lung transplantation; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bourge has shown exceptional work in the education and training of students, housestaff, and fellows in the School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, the Division of Cardiovascular Disease and the Department of Surgery, and he has extensively mentored young physicians and physician scientists from across this nation and from international centers with specific interests in cardiovascular disease; and
WHEREAS, this Board is exceptionally honored to have an individual with Dr. Bourge’s superior experience and exceptional abilities on the UAB faculty, and it concurs in the University’s decision to honor him by naming him as the third holder of the Mary Gertrude Waters Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama hereby approves appointment of Robert C. Bourge, M.D., as the next holder of the Mary Gertrude Waters Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine at The University of Alabama at Birmingham at The University of Alabama at Birmingham, with all the rights and privileges thereunto appertaining.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be spread upon the permanent minutes of this Board, and that copies be sent to Dr. Robert C. Bourge, to members of this family, and to appropriate officials at The University of Alabama at Birmingham.