Segment 07: Building Research and Facilities Under Charles

Abstract

Dr. Becker explains some changes in MD Anderson when Dr. Charles LeMaistre took over as MD Anderson’s president with R. Lee Clark’s retirement. He notes that Dr. LeMaistre’s qualifications and his view that the institution needed a stronger academic structure and research base. In line with this vision, Dr. LeMaistre created a Vice President for Research, asking Dr. Becker to assume this position. Dr. Becker describes how he set up his administrative practice so it would not compromise his research career, then details his efforts to increase research facilities, recruit outstanding scientists and create professorships. He recalls his insistence that he be able to recruit anyone from anywhere (even a “polka dotted hermaphroditic Venusian geneticist”) in order to pursue excellence, and notes that this was unusual in MD Anderson’s “deep South” mentality at the time, when the faculty was geographically and racially limited. Dr. LeMaistre supported Dr. Becker’s efforts to bring diversity to the faculty.