Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children Establishes Distinguished Chair in Spine

PRLog (Press Release) - Oct. 22, 2012 - Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) in Dallas proudly announces the establishment of the Leuna C. Sullivan, Don L. Hicks and The Gordon Sondland and Katherine J. Durant Foundation Distinguished Chair in Spine. A permanent endowment of $2 million will be used for spine research (http://www.tsrhc.org/center-for-excellence-in-spine-resea...), fellowships and training at the discretion and in support of the work of the distinguished chair.

“We have been continually impressed and moved by the dedication of the nurses, doctors, and researchers who specialize in the field of scoliosis at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (http://www.tsrhc.org/),” said Gordon Sondland. “Their commitment to helping families aligns beautifully with our mission and it is our great pleasure to support them in developing cutting-edge advancements in treatment and providing the very best care.”

The endowed chair, held by Daniel J. Sucato, M.D., M.S. Chief of Staff at TSRHC and the director of the Sarah M. and Charles E. Seay/Martha and Pat Beard Center for Excellence in Spine Research, strengthens the hospitals’ clinical leadership and benefits not only the patients but also the hospital’s medical staff, residents and fellows. Scoliosis (http://www.tsrhc.org/scoliosis-spine.htm) is the hospital’s highest referring diagnosis, and leadership in the area of spinal deformity is paramount to the hospitals’ mission.

“We are privileged to have friends and supporters of this caliber who contribute to the work we do at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children,” said J. C. Montgomery, Jr., Chairman and CEO of the TSRHC Foundation. “Gifts such as these have helped support our mission of delivering the highest quality of patient care. The hospital is one of the premier orthopaedic facilities in the world and this level of generous support will allow us to continue our advancements.”

About the Gordon Sondland and Katherine J. Durant Foundation
The Gordon Sondland and Katherine J. Durant Foundation was founded in 1999 in Portland, Ore. by Gordon Sondland, CEO of Provenance Hotels and Director and managing member of the Aspen Companies, a diversified private equity firm, and Katherine Durant, Managing Partner of Atlas Investments, a diversified real estate development and holding company specializing in retail and industrial properties. The Foundation's mission of "Helping Families & Boosting Communities" is carried out through contributions, challenge grants, and long term pledges of support to a wide range of charitable organizations including the Portland Art Museum, Oregon Museum of Science & Industry, Oregon Health Sciences University, New Avenues for Youth, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Elevate Oregon, Fisher House and the Portland Parks Foundation. The Gordon Sondland and Katherine J. Durant Foundation can be found online at http://www.sondlanddurant.org.

About Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is one of the nation's leading pediatric centers for the treatment of orthopaedic conditions (http://www.tsrhc.org/pediatric-orthopedics.htm), certain related neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia. Admission is open to Texas children from birth up to 18 years of age. Patients receive treatment regardless of the family’s ability to pay. For more information, to volunteer or to make a donation, please call (214) 559-5000 or (800) 421-1121 or visit http://www.tsrhc.org.