Liem Phan, graduate research assistant, explains one of 76 research posters on display in conjunction with MD Anderson’s Division of Internal Medicine Research Retreat in May. John Mendelsohn, M.D., president of MD Anderson, gave the Mavis P. Kelsey Lecture, established in 2009 by the Kelsey Research Foundation. The lecture series’ namesake, Mavis P. Kelsey, M.D., co-founder of Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, began working part-time at MD Anderson in 1949, specializing in thyroid disease. During his 20 years at the institution, he developed a clinical isotope program, established an endocrine clinic and worked on constructing a Geiger counter to determine thyroid uptake of radioiodine. Kelsey was the first Houston physician to hold a license from the Atomic Energy Commission to administer radioisotopes to humans.
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Anne Mendelsohn has long supported Houston's cultural and philanthropic communities, particularly those related to education, health care, the performing arts and the public understanding of science. She has chaired the board of the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Houston regional board of Teach for America. Anne and her husband, John Mendelsohn, M.D., president of MD Anderson, have received a number of honors together, including the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service, the Houston Technology Center Celebration of Entrepreneurs Award and the Teach for America - Houston's annual award for advancing education.

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