R J AUSTIN CONSULTING DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING - Key Persons
Dr. Austin was instrumental in forging a collaborative partnership between Texas Children's Pediatric Associates, the Baylor College of Medicine, and Harris County to establish PMH and served for five years as the director of the first center, TCPA Cullen. In addition, through his history and community service he has identified and created collaborative relationships with several private and non-profit programs to address the broader needs of children and adolescents. Dr. Austin's tireless efforts have resulted in PMH's success at providing services for over 25,000 children in underserved areas of Houston. Dr. Austin completed a manuscript published through Texas Children's Hospital describing the first 10 years of the program which started in 2000 and the outcomes through 2010. Dr Austin has an appointment at Baylor College of Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics.
Dr. Austin received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. Following three years of military service in the Air Force, he pursued a graduate degree in biology from Boston College. Dr. Austin attended Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee where he received his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1963. He completed his medical training with a Pediatric Residency at Upstate Medical Center, State University of New York as well as a Fellowship in Hematology from Tufts University, affiliated with Boston City Hospital. Following Pediatric residency and Fellowship in Hematology he established the Pediatric Hematology Section at Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, New York. He later became the first Chief executive officer of The Syracuse Neighborhood Health Center, currently The Syracuse Community Health Center, one of the first Federally Qualified Programs in the country. He served in that capacity for five years before moving to Houston. He was active in practice and teaching in Houston for 35 years. He retired from TCH in 2006.
Dr. Austin's professional positions, consultancies, academic appointments and affiliations with professional organizations continue to serve the community. He has, throughout his professional life, personally mentored over two hundred young people through their highest academic achievement. He has received numerous awards and honors including an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Grinnell College for his efforts as a child advocate in health and education. He is also the recipient of the highly coveted Savvy Award, again awarded for his advocacy for children's health and education. In 2010 he received the Maconda B. O'Conner award at the annual Children at Risk Luncheon, recognizing Dr. Austin's efforts to help shape the healthy outcome of children throughout Houston. Currently, Dr. Austin services as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee for the Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions in Houston. In addition, he served as an advisor in the establishment of a sister school, The Michael E DeBakey High School for Health Professions in Qatar as well as being on the Advisory Committee. He was invited to Qatar to speak at the first Graduation in May 2011. He serves on the Board of Directors for The Collaborative for Children and the Board of Trustees at Grinnell College. The accomplishment of developing PMH is the culmination of a lifelong dream for Dr. Austin to provide a medical home for children, adolescents and their families.