Riggs receives Patricia and Ian Butler Endowed Professorship in Medical Professionalism
McGovern Medical School has announced John Riggs, MD, professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, and assistant dean for the Office of Professionalism, as the inaugural recipient of the Patricia and Ian Butler Endowed Professorship in Medical Professionalism.
“I am extremely honored and touched by this endowment,” Riggs said. “Patricia and Ian have had such a profound influence at McGovern Medical School for decades and now to carry their great legacy of advancing medical professionalism at our school leaves me speechless.”
Patricia Butler, MD, professor emerita, who retired from the Medical School Oct. 27, 2021, and Ian Butler, MD, professor and Jacobo Geissler Distinguished Chair in West Syndrome Research, established this endowment to honor the dedication and professionalism of their colleagues.
“We have both observed Dr. Riggs over many years and have always been impressed by his dedication to the medical school and his consistent demonstration of professionalism as an educator and clinician,” Patricia Butler said. “He is an exceptional role model for students and faculty, and he is a firm advocate for the health of his patients.”
The Office of Professionalism, formed in 2020, aims to build McGovern Medical School’s recognition as an institution with a cohesive, explicit approach to growing all aspects of personal and institutional professionalism. Professionalism means different things to different people. As individuals and as an organization, McGovern Medical School models and teaches technical, intellectual, and ethical competence, respectful interprofessional work, social justice, personal and financial wellness, and more.
“This endowment will allow me a greater flexibility to develop and enhance educational initiatives relative to the professional formation of the people that work at McGovern Medical School,” Riggs said.
Riggs joined the medical school faculty in 1990 as an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences. He also holds an adjunct associate professor faculty position at UTHealth Houston School of Biomedical Informatics. He graduated from the medical school in 1986 and returned to complete his residency in obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive. He also earned a master’s degree in health information sciences from the School of Biomedical Informatics in 2001.
In 2020, Riggs was named the assistant dean for the Office of Professionalism. Previously, he directed the medical student clerkship and residency programs in OB/GYN at LBJ Hospital and served as the hospital’s chief medical information officer, leading its electronic medical record installation.