Tis the season of giving and Sons Of The Flag (SOTF) did just that late this morning. Known for its mission “to revolutionize burn care and quality of life for veterans, first responders and families,” SOTF Founder/President/CEO Ryan “Birdman” Parrot was at UT Southwestern with his team including SOTF Development Director Sherry Whidby, SOTF Task Force Leader Justin Beamis and Lee Financial Group’s President Dana Pingenot, Sr. Portfolio Manager Danny Boyce and CIO Mark Whidby.
While they didn’t have a bag of toys, they did have a $100,000 check for a fellowship “to fund the education and training for a burn surgeon for one year” at UT Southwestern.
According to Ryan, “There is a critical need to increase the number of burn surgeons in the U.S. so that the specialized care and treatment burn victims need can be provided. We are excited to make today’s grant to UT Southwestern and look forward to doing the same over the next several years. We also greatly appreciate Lee Financial Group for making this fellowship possible through their financial support.”
With more than 486,000 burn survivors in need of treatment annually, there are only 200 burn surgeons in the U.S.
Upon accepting the check, Parkland Health and Hospital System Burn Center Medical Director Dr. Brett Arnoldo said, “On behalf of UT Southwestern, thank you to Ryan, Sons of the Flag, your board of directors and volunteers for this fellowship funding. Your love, passion and support will enable us to train another surgeon to provide the specialized services burn patients need, next year and for years to come.”
Joining Brett for the presentation were UT Southwestern Director of Development Ashley Terrell, and Drs. Deborah Carlson, Audra Clark and Paul Comish.
* Photo provided by Sons Of The Flag