Donors Receive Legacy Award from Center for BrainHealth

The Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas presented Jane and Henry J. (Bud) Smith with its highest honor, the Legacy Award, on Oct. 9 at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. The award is given to individuals whose vision and dedication to brain research enable the center to explore the vast potential of the human mind.

“My goal in creating the Center for BrainHealth was to make a difference in people’s lives through innovative research,” said Dr. Sandra B. Chapman, founder and chief director of the Center for BrainHealth and Dee Wyly Distinguished University Chair. “Jane and Bud Smith were instrumental in laying the foundation for our future to truly make an impact not only in Dallas, but across the country and around the world. With their leadership, we are on our way to making world brain health a reality.”

The Smiths donated the funds necessary to endow a chair for the center’s medical science director, Dr. John Hart Jr., and have become actively involved in the center’s leadership council.

“We put much focus on our physical health, which is necessary, but to reach our potential and the next level of performance, we must turn our attention to our brains,” said Jane Smith. “The Center for BrainHealth has developed and scientifically proven training and treatment programs to make our brains work smarter and more efficiently – programs that open the door to a new world of opportunity for those diagnosed with brain injury or brain disease.”

Bud Smith echoed his wife’s sentiments and added that the center helps a variety of people.

“The Center for BrainHealth is helping children who are struggling in school, veterans adjusting to civilian life, people who have had concussions or other brain injuries, and those of us who are simply aging,” he said. “Supporting the center is one of the best investments that we have made; every one of us can benefit from strengthening our brains.”

Rita and Henry Hortenstine chaired the Legacy Dinner. The host committee included Nancy and Randy Best, Toni Brinker, Ed Cox, Nancy Dedman, Ginny and John Eulich, Gail and Wallace Hall, Susan and Boots Nowlin, Mary Watson, and Wallace Stone.

“Henry and I were very honored to be able to recognize Jane and Bud Smith in such a special way, two great visionaries who invested in the Center for BrainHealth when it was in its infancy,” said Rita Hortenstine. “Dr. Chapman demonstrated great courage when she pushed the envelope on brain health research nearly a decade ago, and now the world is trying to catch up.”

Past BrainHealth Legacy Award recipients include Dianne Cash, Debbie Francis, T. Boone Pickens, James Huffines, Dee Wyly, Daryl Johnston and Lee Roy Jordan.