Clinical building renamed Mark A. Wallace Tower to honor leadership, service
One of Texas Children’s most recognizable buildings got a new name in March. The Clinical Care Tower was renamed the Mark A. Wallace Tower in honor of Texas Children’s long-time president and CEO.
The announcement of the renaming came at the culmination of a Board of Trustees meeting. It was the work of the board and a complete surprise to Wallace. As the meeting appeared to arrive at its routine close, Board Chair Ann Lents opened the doors of the board room to welcome a few guests – Wallace’s wife Shannon and the entire Executive Council. Lents then proceeded with reading the board’s resolution to rename the building in honor of Wallace’s 27 years of leadership and service to the organization.
“When you came to Texas Children’s, our hospital was a good but regional provider,” Lents said. “Now Texas Children’s is the largest and most comprehensive provider of children’s and women’s services. You brought a sense of mission and unbounding energy and a generosity of spirit to the job that are all the more remarkable given that you’ve been at it since 1989.”
Wallace and his wife were filled with emotion as the announcement unfolded in the room of about 100 board members and executives. Expressing his appreciation, Wallace recognized the commitment of the board, staff and dedicated employees.
“When (late board member) George Peterkin recruited me, he convinced me that with this board, Dr. Feigin and this community, we could do something incredible,” Wallace said. “I never imagined anything like this. We’ve gone from one location, seven floors, 350,000 square feet and 1,400 employees to all of this. Our employees and medical staff are so committed to this organization and to the children, women and families we take care of. I can’t adequately put into words how much this means to me.”
When Wallace took the helm of Texas Children’s in 1989, the hospital was still contained in a single building – the seven-story Abercrombie Building. The West Tower and Clinical Care Tower (now, the current Feigin Tower) were completed shortly after in 1991. In 2003, as part of a $345 million project, the West Tower was expanded and a new, 16-floor Clinical Care Tower was built at the corner of Holcombe and Fannin. The building houses most of Texas Children’s outpatient clinics, including Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers, Neurology and Orthopedics.
Because of the prominent location of the clinical building, it continues to be one of the most visible of the Texas Children’s medical center buildings, making it a perfect choice for the naming honor. But Lents noted that the honor is a milestone in a continuing journey.
“This is not a capstone naming, this is an interim recognition,” Lents said. “We are looking forward to many more years of your leadership.”
Since the building’s naming, a plaque has been placed near a main thoroughfare leading to the building. The plaque details Wallace’s contributions to Texas Children’s and officially dedicated the building in his honor.
