The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler

It all started in 1986, as Ralph Prince lay unconscious in the intensive care unit at The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler (UTHCT). His prognosis was not good. And in the midst of his already deteriorating condition, doctors discovered he had developed viral pneumonia.

"If I had been able to talk at the time they brought me in, I would have told them I was going to be fine," Ralph said later. His wife, Mary, also had confidence that the team of physicians caring for Ralph would make him better. And they did.

Ralph's initial recovery was slow. His UTHCT physicians prescribed a regimen of medication along with an intense exercise program. Over time, physical therapists helped him to breathe better and to enjoy his life as a rancher. Today, Mary says that the physicians at UTHCT added an extra seven years to her husband's life. On August 8, 1993, at age 82, Ralph Prince died, having served Gregg County as district attorney for 20 years.

In 1995, in gratitude for the treatment Ralph received at UTHCT, Mary established the Ralph and Mary Prince Patient Caregiver Endowment with the purpose of giving a cash award to those inpatient caregivers who exemplify positive and inspiring character traits. "I really want to help develop character traits that have a positive influence on performance and interactions with patients," Mary explains. She adds, "I remember when I was young, a nudge like this helped me to perform better." In 1997, Mary added another endowment to help reward and encourage employees who go the extra mile to help their patients feel better in the outpatient setting.

Mrs. Mary Prince

UTHCT Planned Giving Specialist Wayne Archer says, "Mrs. Prince's philosophy is that the doctor cuts, God heals, but the employees are the ones who help make the patient feel good by providing positive, compassionate, and loving care." Today, thanks to the Princes' generosity, the Ralph and Mary Prince endowments, which are invested in the Long Term Fund, have a current market value in excess of $276,000 as of August 31, 2003. The Ralph and Mary Prince Patient Caregiver Endowment and the Ralph and Mary Prince "Patients First" Ambulatory Caregiver Endowment both serve as motivation

to UTHCT employees to work even harder to care for our patients.

It started 17 years ago with a visit to UT Health Center at Tyler. Now, nearly two decades later, Health Center patients are receiving a touch of inspiration and care from two East Texans who wanted to say "thanks" in a special way.