Transformative gifts support medical education at BCM

Since announcing and starting construction on its next-generation home for medical education, Baylor College of Medicine has made significant progress on the Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower. Today, it announces three transformative gifts that will help support the future home of the School of Medicine and School of Health Professions.

The gifts include $25 million from The Brown Foundation, Inc., $16 million from The DeBakey Medical Foundation, adding to their already committed $12 million to the project, and $10 million from the Sarofim Foundation, which matches a previous $10 million committed by Fayez Sarofim.

“Thanks to tremendous support from the community, we have raised almost $150 million in philanthropy for the new state-of-the-art home for the School of Medicine and School of Health Professions. Cullen Tower isn’t just an investment in infrastructure, but an investment in the health and well-being of future generations,” said Dr. Paul Klotman, Baylor president, CEO and executive dean.

The 503,000-square-foot Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower is the first phase of Baylor’s planned Health Sciences Park, an 800,000-square-foot project that will integrate medical education and research in a collaborative environment right next to patient care at Baylor Medicine and Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. The campus is adjacent to Texas Medical Center’s Helix Park, a 37-acre project that supports a collaborative mix of healthcare, life sciences and business.

“The Brown Foundation believes in the transformative power of education. This gift reflects our deep commitment to ensuring that future generations of healthcare leaders have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive,” said Isabel Stude Lummis, president of The Brown Foundation.

In recognition of The DeBakey Medical Foundation’s increased commitment to Cullen Tower and additional funding to the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor will name the park the Michael E. DeBakey Health Sciences Park. It will encompass the new Cullen Tower, a dedicated research tower to be built in future years, the Commons building linking the two towers and the existing Jamail Specialty Care Center clinical building.

“The comprehensive scope of the park – combining spaces for education, research and clinical care – is a fitting tribute to Dr. DeBakey’s contributions to Baylor and the field of healthcare. The Cullen Tower embodies his legacy of excellence, which will inspire further generations of Baylor students to strive for greatness while advancing medical knowledge and providing compassionate care to patients,” said Dr. H. David Short III, president of The DeBakey Medical Foundation.

The Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower is scheduled to open in 2026, featuring a design that will foster collaboration between students, faculty and researchers.

“We are deeply honored to be a part of this historic project,” said Christopher Sarofim, chairman of Fayez Sarofim & Co., board member of both the Brown and Sarofim Foundations and member of Baylor College of Medicine Board of Trustees. “Baylor College of Medicine is synonymous with the best that Houston and the Texas Medical Center have to offer. On behalf of all parties involved, we are very pleased to partner with Baylor and other fine philanthropic organizations to make a significant investment in the healthcare leaders of tomorrow.”

The Sarofim Foundation is among Houston’s newest philanthropic organizations and was established by Fayez Sarofim in gratitude for the opportunities Houston provided him during his lifetime. The Brown Foundation has a nearly 75-year history of building, sustaining and enhancing Houston and state institutions that contribute to stronger, more vibrant communities. The Michael E. DeBakey Foundation was established by renowned cardiovascular surgeon and former Baylor president Dr. Michael E. DeBakey in 1961, to invest in medical education and revolutionize healthcare.