In Memoriam

Patricia Robinson Meyers, R.N.

Nurse to Dr. Kevin M. Slawin - Texas Prostate Center
Vanguard Urologic Institute

Patricia Robinson Meyers, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 13, 2011. She was born on October 3, 1947 in Houston to Kenneth and Alice Robinson. Pat attended Stephen F. Austin High School and the University of Houston, graduating with a degree in nursing. She was currently employed as Registered Nurse to Dr. Kevin Slawin, M.D., Vanguard Urology. Pat was a caregiver to countless patients over the years and touched many in her career and will be missed by all who knew her.  Pat is survived by her son, Scott Meyers and wife Alissa; her daughter, Amanda Meyers Glaser and husband Paul; her granddaughter, Avery Meyers; former husband, Charles Meyers; along with numerous other loving relatives and friends.

The family requests donations be made in Pat's honor to Vanguard Urologic Research Foundation, 6400 Fannin, Ste. 2300, Houston, TX 77030.

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Rodney A. Appell, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Director - Texas Continence Center
Vanguard Urologic Institute

World-renowned surgeon Rodney Appell, M.D., Director of the Texas Continence Center, in the Vanguard Urologic Institute at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, died on January 19, 2009, following an illustrious career in academic urology. Prior to joining Vanguard in 2008, he served as a professor of urology and gynecology and chief of the Division of Voiding Dysfunction and Female Urology at Baylor College of
Medicine. Dr. Appell was also a clinical professor in the Department of Urology at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston and a member of the medical staff at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. In honor of his memory and outstanding contributions to urology, the center will be renamed the Rodney A. Appell Center for Continence and Pelvic Health.

Dr. Appell grew up in Philadelphia and earned his undergraduate degree at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He attended medical school at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, and went on to complete his residency training in urology at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Appell served on the faculty at Louisiana State University in New Orleans and spent many years practicing at the Cleveland Clinic. He moved to Houston in 2000, joining the faculty of the Scott Department of Urology at Baylor College of Medicine.

Dr. Appell received numerous awards, including, most recently, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Urodynamics and Female Urology. He was a member of many professional societies and served on the Board of Directors and Nominating Committee of the National Association for Continence and both the Guidelines Committee and the Special Women’s Issues in Urology Committee of the American Urological Association. Dr. Appell was also on the editorial boards of several publications, including the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, International Urogynecology Journal, Journal of Urology, International Journal of the Proctological and Perineal Diseases, Neurourology and Urodynamics and Urology. During the past 25 years, he was invited as visiting professor or speaker at more than 800 national and international society meetings, symposia and conferences. He was awarded many grants to investigate urinary incontinence and authored or coauthored more than 150 journal articles, 16 books and 40 book chapters. His research interests were injectable agents for stress urinary incontinence and pharmacological agents for the overactive bladder.

Dr. Appell was also an extraordinary teacher and mentor, having trained countless students, residents and fellows in the art and science of caring for patients with voiding dysfunction and incontinence. He will be remembered for his seriousness of purpose, his directness in his personal interactions and his limitless love for his family, his friends and his work.

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