Announcing the Sewell Family Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesiology at Dell Children’s Medical Center

Dell Children’s Medical Center is honored to announce the Sewell Family Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesiology. This newly endowed position is the result of a generous multi-generational $2 million gift led by Josie and Carl Sewell, III and their family to Dell Children’s Medical Center (DCMC). Inspired by the care their son, Connor, received in our cardiac center, the Sewell family’s gift will leave a lasting impact on pediatric cardiac care for generations to come.

The Sewell Family Endowed Chair will be held by Dr. Erin Gottlieb. Dr. Gottlieb is a distinguished physician, Dell Medical School-University of Texas full-time faculty member and one of a few women program leaders in the highly specialized field of pediatric cardiac anesthesiology. This most prestigious chair will support Dr. Gottlieb’s vision of exploring new knowledge and educating tomorrow’s leaders in this critical specialty.

“Dr. Gottlieb is an inspiration, not only to me but to so many women in medicine. She’s broken barriers in such a niche and technical field, and her passion for mentoring the next generation of female doctors is remarkable. Supporting this endowed chair is about more than honoring her work—it’s about ensuring that her legacy of excellence, compassion, and leadership continues,“ said Josie Sewell, Dell Children’s Supporter and Connor’s Mom (Dell Children’s Heart Patient).

With this endowment, Dr. Gottlieb will have the resources to expand and enhance her life-saving work in pediatric cardiac anesthesiology, advancing Dell Children’s nationally ranked heart center.

“Dr. Gottlieb is a knight in shining armor. Her attention to detail, her dedication to the children’s comfort, and the way she prioritizes their well-being is unmatched. She gives everything she has, and that’s why we’re so honored to support her and the endowed chair in her name,” said Josie Sewell. 

The Impact of an Endowment on Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesiology

Endowed chairs are among the highest honors a medical institution can bestow upon its physicians, serving as enduring sources of support for clinical innovation, research, and educational initiatives. In the case of the Sewell Family Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesiology, the endowment will allow Dr. Gottlieb and her team to push the boundaries of what is possible in pediatric anesthesiology. The fund will provide sustainable resources to explore new techniques and offer critical training opportunities. Moreover, it will support the acquisition of advanced technology aimed at improving outcomes for children with congenital heart disease.

“This extraordinary gift not only empowers our most advanced specialists, it paves the way for groundbreaking progress in pediatric cardiac anesthesiology. The Sewell family’s generosity is visionary. It creates a lasting legacy—one that ensures our brightest minds can continue advancing programs that transform the care we provide to patients and their families,” said Dr. Charles D. Fraser, Chief of Pediatric and Congenital Cardiothoracic Surgery at Dell Children’s Medical Center and Chair of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Dell Medical School-University of Texas. 

The Sewell Family Legacy: A Commitment to Texas Healthcare

For Josie and Carl Sewell, supporting Dell Children’s represents a deeply personal commitment to quality healthcare. Their family’s legacy of philanthropic leadership in Texas is well known, and this endowment at Dell Children’s continues their tradition of giving back to communities across the state. They have witnessed firsthand the impact of Dell Children’s care and have chosen to endow this chair to ensure that other families can benefit from the same level of excellence in healthcare.

“We believe that this endowed chair is the perfect way to celebrate Dr. Gottlieb’s contributions and ensure the program continues to grow. It’s not just about our family’s journey—it’s about helping other families feel the same comfort and confidence we did, knowing their children are in the best hands possible,” said Josie Sewell. 

Creating a Lasting Legacy at Dell Children’s

The Sewell Family Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesiology is a permanent resource that will benefit children and families for generations. Endowed chairs like this one are essential to Dell Children’s mission, providing long-term security that helps attract and retain the world-class talent needed to drive medical breakthroughs. Each year, the Sewell family’s gift will generate income that directly supports advancements in pediatric cardiac anesthesiology, from research and technology to education and patient care.

This investment underscores an enduring commitment to vulnerable children with heart disease. With the support of this chair, Dr. Gottlieb and her successors for generations to come, will remain at the forefront of advancing the critically important nature of the specialty. 

The Sewell Family Endowed Chair enhances Dell Children’s Medical Center and Dell Medical School’s Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease that recently achieved national recognition from the U.S. News and World Report. We are grateful beyond measure for the team’s accomplishments as they continue to provide unparalleled cardiac care to families in Central Texas and beyond.

Published January 30, 2025