As if it were only yesterday, Hong Bass recalls with painful clarity the 10 years – from age 8 to 18 – she endured living under the repressive hand of Chairman Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution in her homeland of China. Those chilling 10 years for then Hong Zhao would only stiffen her resolve to compete with the millions of education-starved teens all yearning to learn at newly reopened universities.

Medical studies at Peking University Medical School would be Mrs. Bass’ first ticket to educational freedom. This prestigious degree led Mrs. Bass to Stanford University School of Medicine, where she majored in cancer biology. She soon added a Ph.D. to her resume – with her 1988 research on T helper cells, which proved to be extremely timely as she studied their role in the main immunodeficiency disorder of the day: HIV-AIDS. Desiring even more education, Mrs. Bass completed two postdoc programs – from Stanford and the University of California-Los Angeles – in HIV-AIDS research and clinical treatment.

Mrs. Bass’ extensive HIV-AIDS research experience convinced the National Institutes of Health’s Fogarty International Center to grant her a fellowship to return to China to continue her research. She and her husband, corporate attorney Jim Bass, and their three children came back to the U.S. in 2001, settling in Dallas where they currently live.

Mrs. Bass’ ties to UT Southwestern started as a graduate student in microbiology and immunology, but her awareness and involvement grew thanks to familial connections with long-standing supporters of the institution. These supporters included William P. Clements Jr., whose name adorns UT Southwestern’s Dallas hospital, as well as Edith and Peter O’Donnell Jr. – whose foundation was instrumental in launching UT Southwestern’s Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute and the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health.

Recently, Mrs. Bass – a co-host of last year’s successful Women’s Health Symposium and a member of the President’s Advisory Board (the group charged with advising UTSW President Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D., on how to further advance its mission) – paused from her busy schedule to express deep appreciation for the philanthropic spirit fueling so many of UT Southwestern’s advances.

“I grew up in a country where everything was controlled and decided by the government – from cradle to grave,” Mrs. Bass said. “And now I am in a country where people take the philanthropic initiative to improve their community – with UT Southwestern being a crown jewel example of that.”

What are your thoughts about the role of philanthropy in Dallas, especially as it relates to UT Southwestern?

I have a strong feeling that the American people are the most noble, virtuous, and generous people in the world. No other country I know of has philanthropy that plays a crucial role in civic society like in America. I have witnessed countless philanthropic activities from my family members of all generations, along with many of our friends. Many of them have focused on UT Southwestern or Southwestern Medical Foundation – all those tireless contributions of time, treasure, and talent to build and improve our community are truly inspiring to me.

Given your extensive global experience, how highly would you rank UT Southwestern's expertise and the reputation of its various disciplines?

My education and work experience took me to different parts of the country, even to various parts of the world. I can say, with the utmost conviction, that UT Southwestern is one of the top institutions in the world. Its three major components – patient care, clinical research, and education – all have superb reputations.

What impressed you most about the care you and your family received at UT Southwestern?

It is an undisputed fact that everyone needs a good doctor sometime during their lifetime, and every community needs a good hospital. Over many years, I have witnessed and experienced the high-quality medical care offered by UT Southwestern. What impressed me the most is that the doctors display a perfect combination of medical knowledge and skills, with an attitude of empathy and compassion. When you visit UT Southwestern, you are not merely a number or a case. Rather, you are offered highly individualized medical help.

What brings you the most satisfaction related to serving on the President’s Advisory Board and its Patient Services Committee?

It has been a tremendous honor to serve on the President’s Advisory Board and Patient Services Committee. I’m so grateful to President Podolsky and the UT Southwestern leadership team for being so transparent with updates on new talent in patient care, research, and administration. We are inspired by the developmental goals and strategic plan for the future of UT Southwestern. With the Advisory Board and its Patient Services Committee, the Women’s Health Symposium, and The Vanguard presentations, we have opportunities to learn of the latest developments in everything from AI in medicine, weight loss, and metabolic drugs, to genetic therapy for rare diseases, and new treatments in the mental health field. I especially appreciate the skill of UT Southwestern experts who can explain the cutting-edge medical developments in layman’s terms.

• Dr. Podolsky holds the Philip O’Bryan Montgomery, Jr., M.D. Distinguished Presidential Chair in Academic Administration and the Charles Cameron Sprague Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Science.