08 LEADING MEDICINE: ADVANCED ORGAN FAILURE MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPLANT
The family of J.C. Walter, Jr. From left in back: Joseph C. “Rusty” Walter III, Paula Walter, Carole Walter Looke and C. James Looke III Seated in front: Elizabeth Walter
PHILANTHROPY TO FURTHER TRANSPLANT RESEARCH The field of transplantation is unique in that no other area of medicine exists where the concept of donation is so vital to its success — from the selfless donation of viable organs to funding for critical research.
A GIVING LEGACY: THE FAMILY OF J.C. WALTER, JR. Houston Methodist is home to one of the fastest growing transplant centers in the nation. Advancements in the program here have been made possible in large part from the generous commitment made in memory of Joseph C. Walter, Jr. Walter’s heart transplant in 1990 extended his life by seven years and allowed him additional time with family, including the birth of his grandchildren. In appreciation, Walter’s children — J.C. “Rusty” Walter III and his sister, Carole Walter Looke — gave $10 million in support of the transplant facility. In 2010, the program was renamed Houston Methodist J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center in recognition of their father, who served on the Houston Methodist board for 30 years. Today, the center stands apart as the largest and most comprehensive transplant center in the region and one of the largest heart-lung transplant programs in the world.