Booziotis bequest benefits UT Southwestern patient relations

By Erin Prather Stafford

Betsy Booziotis Younger and Robert Jarvis began the difficult task of settling estate affairs upon the passing of their parents, Jean and Bill Booziotis. As they sorted through personal belongings, it became apparent just how deeply connected their beloved parents had been to the Dallas community.

“We always knew they were very involved, but it still surprised us to find so many papers tied to charitable efforts,” said Mrs. Younger. “My parents were very good at investing time and energy to organize fundraising while also bringing people together to make significant differences in the community.”

A final act of the couple’s generosity came when they joined The Heritage Society and left a bequest to UT Southwestern in gratitude for the outstanding health care they both had received. Mrs. Booziotis passed away in 2013, followed by the death of Mr. Booziotis in 2016. Their $250,000 bequest has established the Jean and Bill Booziotis Endowment for Patient Relations.

“Bill Booziotis had a tremendous impact on the landscape of Dallas as an architect, and his commitment to his community was also expressed through his philanthropy,” said Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky, President of UT Southwestern. “This gift demonstrates both Bill and Jean’s dedication to helping others. We are grateful that the Booziotis family has chosen to support UT Southwestern’s mission to provide exceptional patient care.”

The gift was made in honor of Judy Devlin, M.S.N., APRN, ANP-C, AOCNP, a nurse practitioner with extensive experience at major U.S. centers who works with Dr. Eugene Frenkel, Professor of Internal Medicine and Radiology, at the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. Mr. Booziotis wanted other patients to benefit from their clinical expertise and high level of care and created the Endowment to support enhanced patient relations at UT Southwestern with a focus on eliminating barriers to care. Advancements include reducing clinic wait times; expediting lab results, imaging, transfusions, and prescriptions; and ensuring prompt interactions between patients and their care team. Focused access to care is the basis of the infrastructure of the program.

“Judy and I formed a friendship with Bill during his time as a patient, which is something she and I very much cherish,” said Dr. Frenkel. “We are honored that he, Jean, and their children wanted to support our efforts with this gift to make the patient experience better for others going through difficult times. It is very much an example of their character.”

Mrs. Booziotis grew up in Texas and received a degree in journalism from Southern Methodist University. She lived in Mexico, where she attended the American University in Mexico City and started a family. After a plane crash took the life of her first husband, Mrs. Booziotis returned to Dallas, where she met Mr. Booziotis in 1971. The couple married the following year.

A Dallas native, Mr. Booziotis graduated from UT Austin School of Architecture and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After serving in the U.S. Army, he partnered with Downing Thomas, AIA, Architect, to form Thomas & Booziotis Architects, which later became Booziotis & Company Architects.

His work ranged from museum, church, corporation, and university projects to design of sleek single-family homes and the historic restoration of Dallas buildings. His projects were recognized with numerous awards and featured in Architectural Digest and Architecture, among other publications.

The couple’s past gifts of almost $30,000 supported various initiatives at UT Southwestern.

“Bill Booziotis was a lovely and generous friend to us and to so many who knew him,” said Kathleen M. Gibson, President and CEO of Southwestern Medical Foundation. “He cared deeply about those who were caring for him at the Medical Center, and left a legacy that reflected the great esteem and fondness he had for his care team at UT Southwestern. This legacy will be a permanent tribute to the quality of medical care this team provided. It is the Foundation’s privilege to honor the legacy and values of Jean and Bill Booziotis through the administration of this permanent Endowment benefiting patient care.”

Dr. Frenkel holds the Elaine Dewey Sammons Distinguished Chair in Cancer Research, in his honor; the Raymond D. and Patsy R. Nasher Distinguished Chair in Cancer Research, also in his honor; and the A. Kenneth Pye Professorship in Cancer Research.

Dr. Podolsky holds the Philip O’Bryan Montgomery, Jr., M.D. Distinguished Presidential Chair in Academic Administration, and the Doris and Bryan Wildenthal Distinguished Chair in Medical Science.