Jankovic named distinguished chair in movement disorders at Baylor College of Medicine

The Baylor College of Medicine Board of Trustees has named Dr. Joseph Jankovic as distinguished chair in movement disorders.

The following nomination by Dr. Dennis Landis was subsequently reviewed and approved by a committee on new chairs, then by academic council, and finally by the Board of Trustees.

Letter of Nomination

November 14, 2007

Jay Stein, M.D.
Executive Vice President and Executive Dean
Baylor College of Medicine

Re: Baylor College of Medicine Distinguished Chair in Movement Disorders; Dr. Joseph Jankovic

Dear Dr. Stein,

I wish to recommend that an endowed Chair be created at Baylor College of Medicine to support research and clinical care for disorders affecting the nervous system. Further, I wish to recommend that Dr. Joseph Jankovic be designated as the first person to serve in that Chair.

Dr. Jankovic is an outstanding neurologist and scholar. He has earned international recognition for his clinical and research expertise in neurology generally, and in the field of movement disorders in particular. He has published more than 600 original articles and chapters, and has edited or co-edited 35 books. He has held leadership positions in national and international professional organizations, and has earned a variety of awards and honors.

He received his M.D. degree in 1973, and after a year of medical residency at Baylor College of Medicine, he completed his residency in neurology at Columbia University. He was appointed to the faculty of Baylor College of Medicine in 1977, and over the past 30 years has achieved extraordinary success in clinical care, education and research. More than 50 clinical and research fellows have come to train with him at Baylor in the last 20 years. He has attracted and supported a group of experienced and accomplished colleagues here at Baylor. His research has included pharmacological treatments of human movement disorders, the utilization of ablation neurosurgery and deep brain stimulation, and explorations of the genetic bases of movement disorders.

Dr. Jankovic has been a tireless advocate for persons affected by neurological disorders. His excellence in clinical research and his compassionate clinical care have been recognized by many in our community, and the people of Houston have contributed consistently and significantly to his work. It is possible to fully fund this Chair by transferring funds from the Parkinson's Research Endowment Fund, and this use of the funds would be entirely consistent with the intent of the donors.

Dr. Jankovic has set a high standard for accomplishment, and his example will continue to inspire students at Baylor College of Medicine for decades to come. It is an honor and a pleasure to be able to recommend that we use this Chair to recognize and salute his accomplishments.

Sincerely,
Dennis M. D. Landis, M.D.