Do Sub-concussive Hits Matter? Meet the Scientist Leading a Study of Former College Football Players

Ho Din Award Surprise: Hannah Chang’s Path to Standout Medical Student

In this episode of Learning from Leaders, we welcomed a very special guest: Hannah Chang, M.D. Dr. Chang is a member of the UT Southwestern Medical School class of 2026. Dr. Chang is the 2026 recipient of the Ho Din Award, and we had the honor of delivering the good news as a surprise on the podcast. This award is the highest honor bestowed upon a graduating med student at UT Southwestern and has been awarded for more than 80 years, dating back to the inception of Southwestern Medical College – the precursor to what is now UT Southwestern. Beyond the surprise, we talked to Hannah about what it means to be a leader in her own right as a medical student, and now as she transitions into a medical resident and the expectations that come with becoming a doctor. Dr. Chang shares moments from Match Day, her time at UT Southwestern, her volunteer experiences, and looks ahead to her future and how she wants to shape her career as a future leader. Dr. Chang reflects on what it takes to navigate the residency match process, why dermatology needs a strong foundation in general medicine, and how UT Southwestern’s diverse training sites shaped her development. She also shares the mentors who helped guide her path, her passion for pediatric and vulvar dermatology, and the leadership lessons she learned through service at a free clinic and as a patient navigator. Along the way, Dr. Chang describes how music and teamwork intersect through the UT Southwestern Heartstrings Ensemble, and why philanthropy is essential to advancing research, education, and equitable care. Chapters: 00:00 - Cold open: Going the extra mile for patients 01:00 - Welcome and introducing Hannah Chang 02:22 - Match Day emotions and what it means 03:06 - How the residency match algorithm works 04:32 - Transitional year and why it matters for dermatology 06:26 - How UT Southwestern prepared her for residency 09:00 - Mentorship, paying it forward, and academics 11:31 - What vulvar dermatology is and why awareness matters 12:38 - Service, leadership, and meeting people where they are 14:15 - Heartstrings Ensemble: music, psychiatry, and connection 16:28 - Research ambitions and balancing clinical care 17:43 - Why philanthropy matters in medicine and education 21:40 - The Hodin Award reveal and immediate reaction 24:17 - Rapid fire: running, board games, food, and life after graduation 28:05 - Closing and what’s next   Episode Details: Season 3 | Episode 5 Host/Producer: Dustin Magwire | Digital Media Senior Manager, Southwestern Medical Foundation – www.swmedical.org [http://www.swmedical.org] Videography: Brazos Film & Video - www.brazosfilms.com [http://www.brazosfilms.com]   Disclaimer: The Southwestern Medical Foundation Podcast is intended solely for educational purposes. Nothing contained therein constitutes, nor should be interpreted as medical, healthcare, financial or legal advice. Southwestern Medical Foundation strives for accuracy in its publications, including the Podcast. However, due to the nature of the topics discussed, there frequently is not a clear-cut “right answer.” Consequently, Southwestern Medical Foundation cannot guarantee the accuracy or sufficiency of any information presented. The views of the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of their employers or affiliated organizations, nor Southwestern Medical Foundation, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center or the University of Texas System. The inclusion of any guest or mention of any product or service does not constitute an endorsement thereof, nor of any company, employer, or organization with which the guest, product, or service is affiliated.

Mental Health in Elementary Curriculum: The Psychologist on a Mission to Impact a Million Lives

What if mental health wasn’t something we addressed only after a crisis, but something we intentionally built from the very start? Lili Clark sits down with Dr. Jessica Gomez, a licensed psychologist and Executive Director of Momentous Institute, to explore what prevention can look like when it’s woven into classrooms, families, and communities. Dr. Gomez shares how Momentous Institute, established more than 100 years ago by the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, has evolved into a nationally recognized organization working at the intersection of education and mental health. Today, Momentous provides thousands of therapy sessions each year for children and families who otherwise wouldn’t have access, and how their laboratory elementary school teaches brain health, emotions, and relationship skills alongside academics. She also explains the organization’s ambitious goal to reach one million children and families by 2031, including the ripple effect created through curriculum partnerships and community collaborations. This conversation also highlights the powerful community ecosystem that supports this work, including the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, Momentous Institute’s largest fundraiser and a major driver of its mission. Dr. Gomez explains how the tournament helps sustain the organization’s impact and serves as a platform for broader community engagement through Momentous’ Squeeze the Day campaign during Mental Health Month - which is May. Together, they unpack today’s toughest pressures on students and educators, from post-COVID stress, school safety concerns, social media and AI, attention challenges, and bullying that’s showing up earlier than ever. Dr. Gomez also reflects on her own journey into psychology, the importance of culturally responsive and bilingual care, and the leadership practices she uses to normalize therapy and prevent burnout. If you’re a parent, educator, employer, or community leader, this conversation offers practical insight into how we strengthen resilience and human connection at every stage of life. Episode Details: Episode 4, Season 3 Host: Lili Clark | Vice Chair, The Cary Council; Senior Associate, LH Capital, Inc. / Lyda Hill Philanthropies - https://www.lydahillphilanthropies.org/ [https://www.lydahillphilanthropies.org/] Guest: Dr. Jessica Gomez | Licensed Psychologist; Executive Director, Momentous Institute https://momentousinstitute.org/ [https://momentousinstitute.org/] | https://scdallas.org/ [https://scdallas.org/] | https://thecjcupbyronnelson.org/ [https://thecjcupbyronnelson.org/] Producer: Dustin Magwire | Digital Media Senior Manager, Southwestern Medical Foundation www.swmedical.org [http://www.swmedical.org] Videography: Brazos Film & Video - www.brazosfilms.com [http://www.brazosfilms.com] Disclaimer: The Southwestern Medical Foundation Podcast is intended solely for educational purposes. Nothing contained therein constitutes, nor should be interpreted as medical, healthcare, financial or legal advice. Southwestern Medical Foundation strives for accuracy in its publications, including the Podcast. However, due to the nature of the topics discussed, there frequently is not a clear-cut “right answer.” Consequently, Southwestern Medical Foundation cannot guarantee the accuracy or sufficiency of any information presented. The views of the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of their employers or affiliated organizations, nor Southwestern Medical Foundation, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center or the University of Texas System. The inclusion of any guest or mention of any product or service does not constitute an endorsement thereof, nor of any company, employer, or organization with which the guest, product, or service is affiliated.

Inside the Mavericks’ Future: Rick Welts on Culture, a New Arena District, and Leadership

What does it take to lead a storied sports franchise through change, rebuild trust with fans, and design a venue that feels unmistakably Dallas? In this special episode of Learning From Leaders, host Lili Clark is joined by Andrew Kaufmann, the host of The Strategerist Podcast, for a conversation with Rick Welts, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks. They explore the leadership lessons behind some of the biggest moments in modern basketball and business. Rick shares his origin story as a ball boy for the Seattle SuperSonics, and how those locker-room lessons became a master class in team dynamics, culture, and performance. He reflects on what it means to steward a franchise’s history, strengthen community engagement, and pursue a bold vision for a new entertainment district anchored by a next-generation Dallas Mavericks arena. The conversation also touches on leading through turbulent times, the fallout from the Luka Dončić trade, and earning back fan loyalty. Rick discusses the evolving expectations of sports partnerships, the Mavericks’ relationship with UT Southwestern, and why athlete mental health and storytelling matter more than ever. Finally, he looks back on mentors like David Stern and the intellectual curiosity that fueled decades of innovation across the NBA and WNBA.   Episode Details: Episode 3, Season 3 Hosts: Lili Clark | Vice Chair, The Cary Council; Senior Associate, LH Capital, Inc. / Lyda Hill Philanthropies – www.lydahillphilanthropies.org [http://www.lydahillphilanthropies.org] Andrew Kaufmann | Vice President of Communications and Marketing, George W. Bush Presidential Center | Host, The Strategerist Podcast - www.bushcenter.org/podcast/the-strategerist [http://www.bushcenter.org/podcast/the-strategerist] Guest: Rick Welts CEO, Dallas Mavericks Producer: Dustin Magwire | Digital Media Senior Manager, Southwestern Medical Foundation – www.swmedical.org [http://www.swmedical.org] Videography: Brazos Film & Video - www.brazosfilms.com [http://www.brazosfilms.com] Disclaimer: The Southwestern Medical Foundation Podcast is intended solely for educational purposes. Nothing contained therein constitutes, nor should be interpreted as medical, healthcare, financial or legal advice. Southwestern Medical Foundation strives for accuracy in its publications, including the Podcast. However, due to the nature of the topics discussed, there frequently is not a clear-cut “right answer.” Consequently, Southwestern Medical Foundation cannot guarantee the accuracy or sufficiency of any information presented. The views of the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of their employers or affiliated organizations, nor Southwestern Medical Foundation, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center or the University of Texas System. The inclusion of any guest or mention of any product or service does not constitute an endorsement thereof, nor of any company, employer, or organization with which the guest, product, or service is affiliated.

Building a Biotech Ecosystem in Dallas: Inside BioLabs Pegasus Park with Dr. Gabby Everett

What does it really take to build a thriving biotech ecosystem and help breakthrough science reach patients? In this episode of Learning From Leaders, host Lili Clark sits down with Dr. Gabby Everett, Director of Business Operations and Strategy and site head at BioLabs Pegasus Park, to unpack the infrastructure, partnerships, and leadership that turn early-stage biotech ideas into real-world impact. Gabby explains how BioLabs functions as a shared lab and office community where startups have the benefit (yes, benefit) to fail fast - a key aspect of biotech progression. They can adapt and progress quickly and access high-cost equipment without raising millions to get started. She walks through what “ecosystem building” looks like in practice, from connecting founders to advisors and investors, to creating the collaborations that spark innovation at the intersections of disciplines. You’ll also hear why companies are relocating to Dallas-Fort Worth, how Bridge Labs supports the next stage of growth, and what common mistakes early biotech teams make when scaling too quickly. The conversation also explores leadership lessons from bench science, mentorship and sponsorship, and how the region can foster more women founders and future talent through hands-on student exposure to biotech careers. Learn more about BioLabs Pegasus Park: https://www.biolabs.io/north-texas [https://www.biolabs.io/north-texas] Chapters: 00:00 - Show Open/Intro 00:48 - Meet Dr. Gabby Everett and BioLabs Pegasus Park 01:31 - What BioLabs is and how it supports startups 04:32 - From PhD scientist to biotech ecosystem builder 08:10 - Leadership lessons from trial-and-error research 10:25 - What it takes to grow a biotech ecosystem in Dallas 13:37 - BioLabs growth since opening and why it mattered 17:26 - Startup stages, bench-by-bench growth, and Bridge Labs 23:49 - Why biotech companies are choosing Dallas-Fort Worth 29:29 - Women in biotech leadership and building the next pipeline 46:25 - AI, automation, and what’s changing in biotech 51:42 - Rapid fire and closing Episode Details: Episode 2, Season 3 Host: Lili Clark | Vice Chair, The Cary Council; Senior Associate, LH Capital, Inc. / Lyda Hill Philanthropies Guest: Dr. Gabby Everett | Director of Business Operations and Strategy, Site Head, BioLabs Pegasus Park Producer: Dustin Magwire | Digital Media Senior Manager, Southwestern Medical Foundation - www.swmedical.org [http://www.swmedical.org] Videography: Brazos Film & Video - www.brazosfilms.com [http://www.brazosfilms.com] Disclaimer: The Southwestern Medical Foundation Podcast is intended solely for educational purposes. Nothing contained therein constitutes, nor should be interpreted as medical, healthcare, financial or legal advice. Southwestern Medical Foundation strives for accuracy in its publications, including the Podcast. However, due to the nature of the topics discussed, there frequently is not a clear-cut “right answer.” Consequently, Southwestern Medical Foundation cannot guarantee the accuracy or sufficiency of any information presented. The views of the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of their employers or affiliated organizations, nor Southwestern Medical Foundation, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center or the University of Texas System. The inclusion of any guest or mention of any product or service does not constitute an endorsement thereof, nor of any company, employer, or organization with which the guest, product, or service is affiliated.

Do Sub-concussive Hits Matter? Meet the Scientist Leading a Study of Former College Football Players

Do repeated “bell ringers” and repetitive, sub-concussive hits add up over time? In this episode of Learning From Leaders, host Lili Clark sits down with Dr. Jeff Schaffert, assistant professor in UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry, to explore the evolving science of brain health in athletes. Fresh off receiving The Cary Council’s $50,000 early-stage research grant, Dr. Schaffert shares how the pilot study he's leading combines blood-based biomarkers, advanced neuroimaging, and cognitive testing to look for early, often invisible signs of cognitive decline in former collegiate football players. You’ll hear why this research matters beyond the NFL and how researchers are trying to better understand neurodegenerative risk. Dr. Schaffert also breaks down what leadership looks like in the lab and explains what researchers hope to learn from early signals such as neuroinflammation and white matter changes. The conversation also zooms out into practical, balanced guidance for families weighing the benefits of sports, plus everyday brain-health habits that can reduce dementia risk over time. This episode tackles the big question about brain health in football and offers clarity, nuance, and a grounded look at what we know and what scientists are still working to understand. Chapters: 00:00 - Show Open 00:33 - Show introduction 01:00 - Meet Dr. Jeff Schaffert and The Cary Council grant 01:44 - The research goal: detecting early brain change in former athletes 04:39 - Concussions vs repetitive head impacts (subconcussive hits) 07:05 - Recruiting participants and building a comparison group 08:16 - What participants do: surveys, cognitive testing, blood draw, MRI 11:01 - What is tau and why it matters 13:10 - Short-term findings vs long-term impact on sports safety 16:53 - What we know about TBI and Alzheimer’s risk 21:04 - Advice for parents: balancing risk and benefits of sports 23:38 - Texas DPRIT and what it could mean for dementia research 45:19 - Rapid-fire questions and wrap-up Episode Details: Episode 1, Season 3 Host: Lili Clark | Vice Chair, The Cary Council; Senior Associate, LH Capital, Inc. / Lyda Hill Philanthropies Guest: Dr. Jeff Schaffert | Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center Producer: Dustin Magwire | Digital Media Senior Manager, Southwestern Medical Foundation Videography: Brazos Film & Video - www.brazosfilms.com [http://www.brazosfilms.com] Disclaimer: The Southwestern Medical Foundation Podcast is intended solely for educational purposes. Nothing contained therein constitutes, nor should be interpreted as medical, healthcare, financial or legal advice. Southwestern Medical Foundation strives for accuracy in its publications, including the Podcast. However, due to the nature of the topics discussed, there frequently is not a clear-cut “right answer.” Consequently, Southwestern Medical Foundation cannot guarantee the accuracy or sufficiency of any information presented. The views of the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of their employers or affiliated organizations, nor Southwestern Medical Foundation, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center or the University of Texas System. The inclusion of any guest or mention of any product or service does not constitute an endorsement thereof, nor of any company, employer, or organization with which the guest, product, or service is affiliated.