Southwestern Medical Foundation and UT Southwestern Medical Center welcomed members of our Estate Planning Council for the 2026 annual luncheon on January 29, 2026, at the T. Boone Pickens Biomedical Building on the campus of UT Southwestern. This annual event brings together leaders in law, accounting, insurance, and wealth management who serve as ambassadors for planned giving and community impact.
This year’s featured guest, W. P. Andrew Lee, M.D., shared an inside look at the momentum powering UT Southwestern’s mission and what it takes to sustain excellence in medical education, research, and clinical innovation. Dr. Lee serves as Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and Dean of UT Southwestern Medical School, and he holds the Atticus James Gill, M.D. Chair in Medical Science.
Honoring Andrew Lawrence
The luncheon also included a special moment of recognition for Andrew Lawrence, who is retiring this year. Andrew, who most recently served as the Foundation’s Chief Counsel, has been working with the Foundation for 27 years. Colleagues and Estate Planning Council members reflected on the trusted guidance Andrew has provided to the Foundation and its planned giving partners for nearly three decades. His legacy will continue through the many donors, partners, and initiatives shaped by his counsel and commitment.
Partnership, Progress, and Planned Giving
The Estate Planning Council plays an essential role in strengthening the long-term future of academic medicine by helping donors align their philanthropic goals with UT Southwestern priorities. Council members’ expertise helps expand awareness of clinical and research advances, while supporting efforts to educate the community about the power of planned giving.
The 2026 luncheon reaffirmed what makes this community special: a shared commitment to long-range impact, the relationships that make transformational philanthropy possible, and the belief that the best medical care is built through sustained investment in people, ideas, and discovery.
Photo Gallery: Estate Planning Council Luncheon 2026
