Retired Navy Adm. William McRaven has donated $1 million to UT Southwestern Medical Center to advance Gulf War Illness (GWI) research and support mental health programs for veterans. The gift, part of McRaven’s Bezos Courage & Civility Award funds, will enable critical clinical trials for treatments targeting the root cause of GWI, which affects over 175,000 Gulf War veterans. Led by Dr. Robert Haley, UT Southwestern’s research identified sarin nerve gas and genetic predisposition as key factors in GWI. This funding supports groundbreaking therapeutic studies, offering hope to veterans suffering from debilitating symptoms such as memory loss, fatigue, and chronic pain. McRaven was a ask unit commander in the Persian Gulf War, and was the U.S. Special Operations Command commander from 2011 to 2014, where he lead the mission that killed Osama Bin Laden in 2011.
A data breach at Parkland Health may have exposed sensitive personal and medical information for 6,523 Texans, as first reported in The Dallas Morning News. The breach includes names, dates of birth, and medical information, according to Oct. 22 filings with the Texas Attorney General’s Office. Parkland operates 16 clinics in the region, along with its flagship hospital in Dallas. While Parkland stated it is still investigating the breach, notices may have already been sent to affected patients. Experts recommend monitoring credit and medical accounts, as medical data is a lucrative target for hackers.
Health Wildcatters, a leading health innovation accelerator, is expanding its Pegasus Park office by 2,800 square feet, bringing its total space to 9,000 square feet. The spring 2025 expansion will include 14 office spaces for startups, community areas, and initiatives to foster investor connections. “Health Wildcatters has always been about equipping bold ideas and visionary entrepreneurs,” said Dr. Hubert Zajicek, CEO. Founded in 2013, the accelerator has supported 118 companies, raising over $350 million, and helped position Dallas-Fort Worth as a global hub for biotech innovation.
UT Southwestern researcher Dr. Jiang He has been named a 2024 recipient of the American Heart Association’s Distinguished Scientist award, recognizing his contributions to cardiometabolic disease prevention and research. Now Chair Designate of Epidemiology at UT Southwestern’s Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, He has authored over 750 peer-reviewed studies and mentored more than 100 researchers. Dr. He’s work, including innovative interventions for hypertension control in resource-limited settings, has shaped public health policies globally. He will receive the award during the AHA’s centennial celebration in Chicago on Nov. 16.
Social service nonprofit The Center for Transforming Lives is building a new Riverside Campus in southeast Fort Worth. Designed to empower women and children experiencing poverty and homelessness, the state-of-the-art facility includes expanded childcare, an economic mobility center, and trauma-informed design features. The Riverside Campus aims to increase capacity by 30 percent in its first year, supporting financial stability and healing through a two-generation model.
Author
