Texas Children's Research Institute Our History
Dr. Ralph D. Feigin
Dr. Feigin was considered the foremost expert on childhood infectious diseases, and as the author or editor of over 500 journal articles, medical books, and book chapters, his scholarly impact was far-reaching. His most influential work, the definitive Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, was in its sixth printing at the time of his death and remains a cornerstone text in the field.
Dr. Feigin was also a beloved teacher and mentor, training over 2,000 pediatricians and pediatric specialists over the course of his career, many of whom themselves became leaders in pediatric medicine. But it is Dr. Feigin’s unwavering commitment to pediatric research that most directly inspired the founding of the Texas Children's Research Institute. During Dr. Feigin’s tenure, pediatric research at Baylor and Texas Children’s grew dramatically, supported by a 250-fold increase in federal funding that enabled groundbreaking discoveries and established both institutions as national leaders in pediatric research.
This legacy is perhaps most tangibly embodied in the 20-story Feigin Tower, the central hub for pediatric research at Texas Children’s. Originally built as the Clinical Care Tower and later expanded with eight additional floors, the tower provides our investigators with more than 200,000 square feet of research laboratories, clinical research offices, a simulation training center, and other resources to support their innovative research.
The building is a living testament to Dr. Feigin's research vision and the Texas Children’s Research Institute— housed in Feigin Tower—carries forward his mission to expand the boundaries of pediatric medicine and improve the lives of children everywhere.
