The Texas Medical Center (1927-1954, Section 7)
Left: Monroe Dunaway (MD) Anderson 1873-1939
(Courtesy of McGovern Historical Collections, Houston Academy of Medicine - Texas Medical Center Library)
Right: Aerial shot of the Texas Medical Center (Courtesy of the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library)
In addition to a national economic boom, the war ushered in new growth in the field of medicine. Changes in medicine, discussed in detail in the next section, helped decrease the number of deaths attributable to contagious and infectious diseases. In turn, cancer and heart disease emerged as leading causes of death in the United States and the nation�s medical community responded in kind.
In 1941, the University of Texas received an appropriation of $500,000 from the Texas State Legislature to start a cancer research hospital. The M.D. Anderson Foundation provided matching funds as well as land in Houston for the facility. Philanthropist Monroe Dunaway Anderson had envisioned a medical complex of different hospitals, academic and research institutions, and support organizations. In 1945, the Texas state legislature created the Texas Medical Center (TMC). In 1946, the TMC identified institutions for inclusion under its umbrella, initially including:
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St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital
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The Methodist Hospital
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The Shriners Crippled Children's' Hospital
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Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library
Post card image of Houston VA Hospital, c. 1950(Courtesy of McGovern Historical Collections, Houston Academy of Medicine - TMC)
In 1944, President Roosevelt approved the purchase of 118 acres of land for the construction of a 1000-bed naval hospital in Houston. The United States Veterans Administration Hospital opened in 1946 to provide medical assistance to veterans. The first teaching facility for the Baylor University College of Medicine, the VA Hospital was soon integrated into the TMC.
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