The Cary Council is dedicated to advancing early-stage research at UT Southwestern, in partnership with Southwestern Medical Foundation. Through engaging programming, they are catalyzing a new generation of community leaders and working to raise awareness of the important cause of academic medicine, research, and medical education in our community.
Our Inspiration
In 1939, Dr. Edward H. Cary had a vision to advance medical education, scientific research, and “inspire a great citizenship to greater deeds.” It was a vision that led to the establishment of both the Foundation and Southwestern Medical College, the precursor to today’s UT Southwestern Medical Center.
From the beginning, the Foundation and the medical school were supported by the city’s most farsighted civic and business leaders. What the Foundation has been able to achieve, it has done through the commitment of visionary leadership—a commitment that has helped build a great city while delivering life-changing advances in patient care, medical discoveries, dedicated physicians and brilliant scientists.
Through The Cary Council, the warmth of the relationship between civic leaders, the Foundation and UT Southwestern taps a new generation of leadership—young men and women that will carry on the visionary tradition that has enabled both the Foundation and the medical school to flourish.
Innovation Starts with Bold Ideas
Since its founding in 2015, The Cary Council has provided 24 $50,000 grants to early-stage researchers, which are known as ‘DocStars,’ resulting in more than $30 million in follow-on funding. Additionally, The Cary Council has been able to participate along with esteemed leaders and philanthropists in the community to contribute to UT Southwestern’s Campaign for the Brain in support of the Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute.
The Cary Council Steering Committee
Lili Clark
Jonathan Dietz (Chair)
Saryn Dietz
Melissa Douglass
Alexandra Eagle
Melinda Poucher Gage
Whitney Harmon
Bradley Haynes
Claire Phillips
Lara Pryor
Megan Shepherd
Mason Smith
Sarah Stukalin
Kamryn Turney
Past Chairs: Josie Sewell, Amanda George | Founder: Michael Kahn
The Cary Council Founder’s Circle
Annika Cail
Lana Constantine
Grace Cook
Anders Fisher
Amanda George
Michael Gregory
Grafton Ifill
Jacob Jones
Michael Kahn
Kate Morris
Josie Sewell
Amanda Shufeldt
Recent News and Events
Kickoff 2026 – Understanding Breakthroughs in Cancer Treatments
On February 24, 2026, The Cary Council gathered at UT Southwestern Medical Center to launch a new year of programming and philanthropic impact, welcoming first-time attendees and celebrating the momentum behind early-stage research at UT Southwestern. Guests heard from featured speakers Emina Huang, M.D., and Heather McArthur, M.D., on the research and treatment of colon and breast cancers.
An Evening with DocStars 2025
November 6, 2025 – An Evening with DocStars 2025 was a milestone night for The Cary Council’s signature event. We celebrated 10 years of The Cary Council’s support of early-stage research at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
What’s Up, Doc?
September 30, 2025 – The Cary Council held a meet & greet event on the campus of UT Southwestern to get to know the 2025 DocStars. This program featured breakout sessions where this year’s Early-Stage Research Grant recipients participated in a Q&A about their research with members of The Cary Council.
Learning From Leaders – Navigating Growth: Business, Family, and the Y’all Street Buzz
On April 8, 2025, The Cary Council hosted its annual Learning from Leaders program, a hybrid event held in person and recorded in real-time for our Learning From Leaders podcast. This unique event took place in the Debate Chamber on the campus of Old Parkland and featured Drew McKnight, Co-CEO and Managing Partner of Fortress Investment Group, and James Litinsky, Founder, Chairman & CEO of MP Materials and founder of JHL Capital Group. Moderated by Lili Clark, Vice Chair of The Cary Council, the panel explored the forces behind North Texas’ growth, from capital and infrastructure to talent and innovation.
