On January 29, 2025, Southwestern Medical Foundation and UT Southwestern Medical Center hosted an annual luncheon for our Estate Planning Council. Austin Westervelt-Lutz, Assistant Vice President of Advancement Services at UT Southwestern, gave an update on important UTSW priorities, including the new Texas Behavioral Health Center at UT Southwestern. This was followed by a discussion about the link between depression and dementia led by Tarek Rajji, M.D.
Dr. Rajji, who was once a resident at UT Southwestern, returned to UTSW in October 2024 and now holds the Stanton Sharp Distinguished Chair in Psychiatry. Dr. Rajji was inspired by the older patients he cared for as a resident at UTSW and he decided to dedicate his career to investigating innovative treatments to improve the lives of older populations. Specifically, his research centers on restoring brain function in older patients with severe mental illness and Alzheimer’s disease. He uses brain stimulation, magnetic and electrical, alone or in combination with other tools such as memory and thinking exercises to improve brain plasticity, slow cognitive decline, and ultimately prevent Alzheimer’s.
The Estate Planning Council was then treated to a glimpse into the future of pediatric care in North Texas. Guests were invited to a Vision Center overlooking the construction of the New Dallas Pediatric Campus being built by Children’s HealthSM and UT Southwestern.
