MS171: Interview with Melinda Perrin

Authors

Melinda H. Perrin
Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library

Author Biographical Info

The origins of the library date back to 1915, when the Houston Academy of Medicine (HAM) established a small library in downtown Houston to serve the Harris County Medical Society. This Library was combined with the Baylor College of Medicine’s (BCM’s) small library in 1949 to form a centralized collection. As more institutions joined the Texas Medical Center, they also shared the resources of the TMC Library, thereby creating a unique point of collaboration among the institutions of the TMC. A permanent home for this new library was built in the early 1950’s, through the efforts of HAM and BCM. Jesse H. Jones contributed funding for the construction, and in 1954, the approximately 27,000 square foot, three-story “Jesse H. Jones Library Building” was dedicated. By 1975, a new addition to the building had added another 76,000 square feet for the Library’s growing collection. At this time, the Library officially became known as the Houston Academy of Medicine – Texas Medical Center Library. Today the library uses the shorter operating name of The TMC Library. Find out more at History of the Library from the library website.

Publication Date(s)

April 1, 2017

Language

English

Keywords

Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, Board Chair, Hermann Hospital

Abstract

An oral history interview with Melinda Perrin about her career in the Texas Medical Center and work on the board of Hermann Hospital and later Memorial Hermann Healthcare System.

Melinda Hill Perrin was born into a family known for the leadership it has provided both the city of Houston and the state of Texas. Her father John Hill served as the Texas’ secretary of state, then attorney general and finally Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court. Her work in the community and the non-profit sector led to her selection as a member of the Board of Hermann Hospital during its most controversial period. She was board chair when Hermann merged with the Memorial Health Care System in 1997, a perilous project that’s success meant the strengthening of two of the city’s most important healthcare institution. That work gives her a unique view of Houston, its institutions and the future of healthcare not only locally but across the nation. She is a volunteer and her willingness to provide leadership in that role makes her a role model for women in every walk of life. See more at Texas Medical Center-Women's History Project and its finding aid.

Copyright

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Comments

Interview by: Ruth SoRelle, MPH
Transcription: Danielle Bustillos SoRelle, PhD

Recommended Citation

Perrin, Melinda H. and Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library, "MS171: Interview with Melinda Perrin" (2017). Texas Medical Center - Women's History Project. 20.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/tmc-whp/20