Dr. Frank C. Arnett, Jr. Named Winner of the TIAA-CREF Distinguished Medical Educator Award; Award ceremony to pay tribute to Dr. Arnett's nationally recognized legacy of leadership in medical education.

HOUSTON -- TIAA-CREF, a national financial services group of companies and the leading provider of retirement services in the academic, research, medical and cultural fields, and The Health Museum (also known as the John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science), today announced that Frank C. Arnett, Jr., M.D., Professor of Internal Medicine and The Elizabeth Bidgood Chair in Rheumatology at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, has been named the 2006 recipient of the TIAA-CREF Distinguished Medical Educator Award.

"Dr. Arnett is universally regarded as an inspirational educator and scholar who leads by example," said Dr. Michael Speer, chairman of the award steering committee. "He is a very active teacher, whether lecturing to a large group in a classroom, or as a clinician at the bedside with a small group of students. His ability to impart his knowledge and skills, along with his dedication to medicine, define him as a true distinguished medical educator."

An internationally recognized leader in rheumatology, Dr. Arnett has pioneered much of the research on the mechanisms of autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma and lupus. As a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the UT Medical School at Houston, he has been instrumental in the clinical training of hundreds of medical students, many of whom return from prestigious residencies to work in Houston and other areas of Texas. Dr. Arnett also is actively involved in continuing medical education programs, providing updates in his field of expertise throughout Texas.

"The TIAA-CREF Distinguished Medical Educator Award honors those who deeply impact the level, availability and quality of health care everyday through their teaching and mentoring of the physicians and nurses of tomorrow," said Fran Nolan, TIAA-CREF Executive Vice President, Client Services. "TIAA-CREF is pleased to partner with leaders of the Texas Medical community to recognize one of its outstanding educators."

The award carries a $10,000 honorarium from TIAA-CREF. In addition, TIAA-CREF will donate 18 scholarships in Dr. Arnett's name for underprivileged youths to attend the Museum's Mini-Medical School Summer Camp.

"The Health Museum is honored to participate with TIAA-CREF in recognizing an exceptional educator in our community," said Museum CEO Tadd Pullin. "TIAA-CREF demonstrates a strong commitment to medical education. This award directly impacts underprivileged youth by providing scholarships for our health science summer camp at The Health Museum. TIAA-CREF also plays a critical role in helping The Health Museum achieve its mission to inspire healthy lifestyles and the next generation of health science professionals."

Dr. Arnett graduated with honors from the University of Cincinnati College of Arts and Sciences in 1964 and received his medical degree in 1968 from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He conducted his internship and residency training at Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1968 to 1970, followed by a two-year fellowship in rheumatology under Dr. Lawrence E. Shulman. In 1974, he joined the faculty at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and in 1984 he was recruited to the UT Medical School at Houston as professor and director of rheumatology.

He has received 22 teaching awards over his illustrious career, beginning in 1974 when he was named Best Teacher in Internal Medicine by the Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. Other awards include the prestigious John P. McGovern Outstanding Teacher Award, which he received twice, the Herbert L. and Margaret W. DuPont Master Clinical Teaching Award and the President's Scholar Award for Teaching. From 1988 to 1998, he was on the board of directors of the Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society, serving as national president in 1997. He is a member of the National Lupus Foundation Advisory Council and since 1997 has served as chair of the medical board advisory, Bluebonnet Chapter, of the Scleroderma Foundation in Houston and as a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the national Scleroderma Foundation.

The award steering committee, award finalists and participants will gather alongside some of Texas' top medical professionals to honor Dr. Arnett at a special award banquet on June 22 at La Colombe d'Or Hotel. Dr. Herbert L. Fred, the 2005 Distinguished Medical Educator Award recipient, Professor of Medicine at the UT Medical School at Houston, will speak at the awards ceremony.

The award, founded by TIAA-CREF and supported by The Health Museum, is given annually to honor teaching physicians, nurses and other health care professionals for their outstanding work, significant contributions and exceptional influence in the field of medical education. Nominations were submitted for consideration and evaluation by the award steering committee, with the field narrowed to one winner and two finalists based on their achievements and dedication to medical education.

The 2006 TIAA-CREF Distinguished Medical Educator Award finalists are Denton A. Cooley, M.D. and Rebecca T. Kirkland, M.D., M.P.H.

The steering committee selected to govern the award and to evaluate nominations was composed of leading medical professionals from the Baylor College of Medicine, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Texas Children's Hospital, The University of Texas School of Nursing at Houston and The University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing.

About TIAA-CREF

TIAA-CREF is a national financial services organization and the leading provider of retirement services in the academic, research, medical and cultural fields. With more than $380 billion in combined assets under management (3/31/06), TIAA-CREF is ranked one of Fortune magazine's 100 largest U.S. companies. Further information can be found at www.tiaa-cref.org.

About The Health Museum

The Health Museum is a member institution of the world-renowned Texas Medical Center and is located in the heart of the Museum District at 1515 Hermann Drive, Houston, TX 77004. Summer hours of operation are: Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can enjoy free admission on FREE Family Thursday from 2 to 5 p.m. For more information about The Health Museum and its programs, please visit www.thehealthmuseum.org or call 713-521-1515.