Overview
More than 150 supporters, scientists, civic leaders and long-time brain health champions gathered within the soaring expanse of the Jane and Bud Smith Grand Hall at Center for BrainHealth to celebrate Dr. Francis Collins, recipient of the 2026 Branch Award Dinner.Widely recognized as the longest-serving director of the National Institutes of Health and leader of the Human Genome Project the event drew a collection of stars from Dallas’ own galaxy with guests Marena and Roger Gault, Jean Ann Brock, Andy and Admiral Pat Walsh, Jane and Mark Gibson, former Navy Seal Clint Bruce and daughter Madeline Bruce, Claudia and Jerry Stool, Bora Laci and Angela and Brad Cheves, among others.“”
Dr. Sandi Chapman, chief director of Center for BrainHealth, reminded guests that BrainHealth’s mission is nothing short of transformational, with impact that has scaled from Dallas to more than 60 countries in less than 30 years: “We haven’t even begun to tap the potential of the human brain.”
Dr. Geoff Ling, co-leader of the BrainHealth Project, delivered the night’s most electric introduction, likening Dr. Chapman’s brain health mission to a “moonshot” and asking Dr. Collins, who knows a moonshot when he sees one, to share guidance on achieving bold scientific revolutions.Dr. Collins responded with humility and warmth, offering stories from the Human Genome Project and emphasizing the power of timing, teamwork and purpose. And he added this crowd-favorite observation about Dr. Chapman: “Being in your orbit for just a little while, Sandi, I can tell the force of gravity is very different here than anywhere else.”Read more at My Sweet Charity
