The Politics of Recruiting Dr. R. Lee Clark Jr as the First Permanent Director of the University of Texas MD Anderson Hospital for Cancer Research: Part I: Creating the Texas Cancer Hospital and Events that Might Have Changed the Course of History (1941–1945)

The MD Anderson Cancer Center is one of the world’s largest programs in cancer patient care, research, and education; yet, there were many historical twists and turns that almost led the cancer hospital to be located in a different place, under a different authority, and under different leadership. Although it was finally located in Houston, Texas, historical events could possibly have resulted in the cancer hospital being located in Dallas, Galveston, or Austin, Texas. Although Dr. R. Lee Clark Jr eventually became the first permanent Director, five other physicians were offered the position before him. After the war ended, Dr. Bertner, as acting director, urged the university Regents to press their search for a permanent director, but the selection process was snafued and prolonged because Regent D. Frank Strickland filibustered for his own candidate for the permanent job. And it was not Dr. R. Lee Clark Jr, who was favored by the other eight Regents.