Maclin family establishes Distinguished Chair in Addiction Psychiatry

By Brittany Worley

Through a transformational gift of $1 million, Todd and Diana Maclin are helping to advance the way clinician-scientists understand and treat addiction. Given via Southwestern Medical Foundation, the gift establishes The Maclin Family Distinguished Chair in Addiction Psychiatry at UT Southwestern’s Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute. The Maclins invested in leading-edge research because it made them hopeful for a healthier future for those who struggle with addiction. Mr. Maclin, who has been a Southwestern Medical Foundation Trustee since 2015, reflected on his vision for the gift.

“I grew up knowing a lot about addiction from experiences in my own family,” he said. “I believe that by seeking understanding of the root cause and brain science behind addiction, the talent at UT Southwestern will develop an approach to treatment that’s more personalized and has a better success rate. The work happening at the O’Donnell Brain Institute will be life-changing for so many, and Diana and I are proud to be supporting this institution.”

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health: 2017, many of the 11 million Americans with a serious mental illness have struggled with alcohol or illicit drug use at the same time. Researchers continue to search for better treatments.

“Scientists at UT Southwestern have made significant strides in understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie addiction,” said Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky, President of UT Southwestern. “This generous gift from the Maclin family will help us build on these discoveries to more effectively treat patients who are battling addiction. We are extremely grateful to Todd and Diana for their commitment to this critical work.”

Mr. Maclin spent the majority of his 37-year career with JPMorgan Chase in Dallas. He enjoyed opportunities to live across the U.S. and abroad in London, but in 2016, Dallas called him home. Mr. Maclin, who helped JPMorgan navigate through the 2008 financial crisis and disruption of mobile banking, made the decision to retire from his position as Vice Chairman and focus on his family.

The Maclins made their first gift to UT Southwestern in 2005 to establish the Maclin Family Distinguished Professorship in Medical Science, in Honor of Dr. Roy A. Brinkley. In addition to serving on the Board of Southwestern Medical Foundation and joining the Investment Committee in 2016, he has been on the Board of Visitors of UT Southwestern and on the Steering Committee for the O’Donnell Brain Institute.

“How fortunate we are to have leaders and visionaries like Diana and Todd return to Dallas,” said Kathleen M. Gibson, President and CEO of Southwestern Medical Foundation. “This tremendous gift will further much-needed work to tackle what has been an intractable issue of the brain. This thoughtful and caring vision will benefit untold numbers of families for generations. Theirs is a remarkable and lasting legacy.”

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.