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HOUSTON METHODIST

Speakers

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Dr. A. Osama Gaber John F., Jr. and Carolyn Bookout
Presidential Distinguished Chair in Surgery, Department of Surgery Chair, Department of Surgery Houston Methodist
Dr. A. Osama Gaber holds the John F., Jr. and Carolyn Bookout Presidential Distinguished Chair in Surgery in the Houston Methodist Department of Surgery. He is chair of the Department of Surgery, co-director of the Underwood Center for Digestive Health and founding director of the J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center. Dr. Gaber has authored more than 400 scientific papers, over 340 abstracts and numerous book chapters. He previously chaired the Texas Governor’s Chronic Kidney Task Force and remains committed to this effort. He is also the founder of Nora’s Life Gift Foundation, which established Nora’s Home in the Texas Medical Center to provide affordable lodging for transplant patients and their families.
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Steven Thorpe Senior Vice President Morgan Stanley
Steven Thorpe, a former member of the Houston Methodist Transplant Task Force and President’s Leadership Council, is a senior vice president in Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management division, where he specializes in alternative investments for families, public pensions and endowments. Mr. Thorpe is a native Houstonian and three-time kidney transplant recipient; he was born with Eagle-Barrett Syndrome, a rare, genetic birth defect that resulted in malformed kidneys. He is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. He and his wife, Audrey, have three daughters and are actively involved in their schools and local sports activities.
Brian Gowan, MDiv, BCC
Senior Chaplain, J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center Houston Methodist Hospital
Chaplain Brian Gowan is an ordained, nondenominational pastor and board-certified chaplain. He has served in chaplaincy and pastoral ministry for over 40 years, including 22 years as a senior chaplain at Houston Methodist Hospital. Chaplain Gowan’s calling led him to implement a new spiritual care initiative in 2025 in collaboration with the J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center, described as a “spiritual care clinical pathway for transplant patients.” This innovative approach provides timely, effective spiritual care for heart transplant patients. It also engages post-transplant patients who wish to give back and support other patients through recording their stories, serving as peer mentors and becoming part of Houston Methodist Hospital’s inspirational singing group, The Grateful Hearts Singers.