The Hubbard Family Foundation has made a gift to the University of Nebraska
Foundation to establish two endowed chairs in the College of Medicine at
the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The Theodore F. Hubbard,
M.D. Chair of Cardiology and the Theodore F. Hubbard, M.D. Chair of Cardiovascular
Research were established in honor of Hubbard, a pioneer in the field of
cardiology, by his widow, Claire Hubbard, and their children, Anne Hubbard,
M.D. and Theodore Hubbard Jr.
These funds focus on two very important integrated aspects of cardiology,
said Harold M. Maurer, M.D., UNMC Chancellor. The chair of cardiology
is responsible for clinical programs, while the chair of cardiovascular
research is responsible for trying to make important discoveries which
improve patient care.
The amount of the gift will remain confidential, Dr. Maurer said, but
he added that anytime an endowed chair is created, it requires a significant
contribution.
Dr. Hubbard was a member of the first cardiovascular surgical team in
Omaha and also perfected dry-field heart surgery, a process that uses a
machine to perform the functions of a patients heart and lungs so doctors
may complete heart operations free of blood.
Ted dedicated his entire life to novel research and the practice
of cardiology, said Claire Hubbard. It is our hope that this gift promotes
further activity in solving cardiac problems by pairing research with clinical
practice.
After completing an accelerated program, Dr. Hubbard graduated from
the University of Nebraska in 1946 with his degree in medicine in addition
to the bachelors degree he received two years prior. He then completed
an internship at the University of Illinois Research and Education Hospitals,
before serving in the U.S. Army for two years. While in the service,
he was stationed at the Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. where he
performed research, taught graduate school and met his future wife, Claire.
Upon completion of his tour of duty, he pursued a fellowship in 1953.
In 1955, Dr. Hubbard entered private practice at Clarkson Hospital and
joined the UNMC faculty as a part-time associate professor. Later, he served
on the senior staff and executive board at Clarkson where he was the director
of the cardiopulmonary laboratory for the remainder of his medical career.
During this time, he was also an attending physician at Douglas County
Hospital, Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University Hospital.
My father had a longtime connection with UNMC, said Anne Hubbard,
M.D., a 1977 UNMC College of Medicine graduate who now practices as a pediatric
radiologist and MRI specialist at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia.
He loved being a doctor, and it was his education at UNMC that allowed
him to achieve his many successes in the field of cardiology.
It is an honor to have these chairs named for a former member of our
faculty, Dr. Maurer said. Dr. Hubbards accomplishments in cardiovascular
research and surgery were very substantial.
Irving Zucker, Ph.D., chairman and professor in physiology and biophysics
at UNMC, has been appointed to the Theodore F. Hubbard, M.D. Chair of Cardiovascular
Research. Dr. Maurer said this is the first appointment of a basic
science researcher to a chair at UNMC.
This investment shows that the Hubbard family is very dedicated to
honoring Dr. Hubbard and encouraging further scientific and medical advances
in cardiology, Dr. Zucker said. To provide this support in his memory
means that we have begun the first step in building a cardiovascular research
and clinical program that will receive national attention. We can
now begin to make major progress in this area. Studies will be carried
out to determine the molecular and integrative aspects of diseases such
as heart failure, hypertension and stroke.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Through its commitment to research, education and patient care, UNMC has
established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for cancer research
and treatment and solid organ transplantation. More than $34 million in
research grants and contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists annually.
In addition, UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for training more
health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution.
The University of Nebraska Foundation is a non-profit corporation supplementing
support for students, faculty, facilities and programs at the University
of Nebraskas four campuses through gifts from alumni, friends, corporations,
and other foundations.