Indian American couple Drs. Subram G. & Elizabeth G. Krishnan are establishing the first endowed chair in orthopaedic surgery at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Medicine.
The new endowed chair is named after Dr. Subram G. Krishnan, a retired board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and their son Dr. Sumant “Butch” Krishnan, medical director of shoulder service in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.
“This is a transformative philanthropic gift for our institution,” said UTRGV President Guy Bailey expressing gratitude to the couple for their support of future healthcare professionals. “One that will empower the next generation of physicians and transform healthcare in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.”
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The endowed chair will support the recruitment of top-tier orthopaedic faculty, paving the way for innovative clinical and surgical training for UTRGV medical students and residents, according to a university release. Additionally, it will foster research into new surgical techniques and treatments, while strengthening community outreach programs in musculoskeletal care.
“This endowment is a commitment to healing, to education and progress,” Dr. Subram G. Krishnan said. “It reflects our belief in the power of medical science to restore lives and livelihood – not just bones and joints.”
This is the second endowed chair established at UTRGV by Drs. Subram G. & Elizabeth G. Krishnan, furthering their commitment to healthcare in the region.
“This endowment will support the department and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley,” said Dr. Elizabeth G. Krishnan, a retired board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist. “It will fund research and education for the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons.”
“With the capacity and growth of the Valley and through the UTRGV School of Medicine and this first endowed chair, Valley residents won’t need to come to Dallas or San Antonio to receive the care they need,” said Dr. Sumant “Butch” Krishnan via video. “It’s incredible to see and be part of the legacy that my parents have left in the Valley and will continue to leave.”
Dr. Everardo Cobos, interim dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine and chair of the Department of Medicine and Oncology, said the endowed chair will help address the shortage of specialized orthopaedic care in underserved communities, enhance training for future orthopaedic surgeons, and elevate the school’s academic reputation.
“Orthopaedic conditions are a leading cause of pain and disability in our region,” Cobos said. “This endowed chair represents a pioneering investment in orthopaedic surgery education and healthcare innovation at UTRGV.”
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Drs. Subram G. & Elizabeth G. Krishnan’s generosity reflects their deep commitment to improving healthcare access and excellence in the region, the release stated. Since 2016, they have supported various UTRGV initiatives, including the Sujata G. Krishnan Endowed Chair in Neurosciences and the Krishnan All-Around Physician Scholarship.
In 2022, they established the Sumant “Butch” Krishnan M.D. Award for Outstanding All-Around Fourth-Year Medical Student, covering the full cost of a medical student’s final year. In 2024, the university’s simulation hospital in Harlingen was renamed the UTRGV Drs. Subram G. and Elizabeth G. Krishnan Simulation Hospital.
UTRGV School of Medicine leadership has begun forming a search committee to identify and appoint the inaugural holder of the endowed chair, representing a significant investment in advancing orthopaedic surgery in South Texas.