Annual Report 2001 - the University of Massachusetts Medical School

OurTime to Lead
M E S S A G E F R O M T H E C H A I R M A N
We have much to celebrate as we
reflect on the past year: the ongoing
recruitment of the best of the best investigators
to further the research enterprise—
with more to come; the opening of the research laboratory
building, truly a “grand” opening; and the incredible success of
the Campaign for Research, marked by the generosity of
Jack and Shelley Blais and all of
the exceptional donors who have
made a commitment to furthering
research at the University of
Massachusetts Medical School.
Together, we are helping to prove
that UMMS can lead the way to
biomedical discoveries that will
shape the future of health in the
21st century.
The excitement derived from this
incredible growth is felt by all
those who serve on the Worcester
Foundation Board of Trustees, and
we were pleased to welcome four
new trustees in 2001: John W.
Bassick, Matthew F. Erskine, Leonard
M. DeFino and Celia D. Rumsey. Jack is executive vice
president of David Clark Company of Worcester. Matt is
managing partner of the Worcester law firm Erskine & Erskine
and chairman of the H.Arthur Smith Charitable Foundation,
which has established three endowed chairs at UMMS through
the Worcester Foundation. Leonard and Celia have become
involved through their deep interest and support of the
Medical School’s stellar diabetes research program. Leonard is
president of AJD Holding Company of Cleveland. Celia is a
contemporary artist and sculptor in Santa Fe.We look forward
to their service.
On behalf of the board, I would like to thank those trustees
whose dedication to the Worcester Foundation cannot be
overstated.As Irwin B. Levitan, PhD, Robert M. Quinlan, MD,
and Louise C. Reimer, step down from the board, we are
grateful for their keen guidance and fidelity to the mission
of the Worcester Foundation during their tenures, and wish
them well.
In 2001, we were greatly saddened by the passing of Jacob
“Jack” Hiatt, once referred to by the Boston Globe as
“Worcester's Dream Maker.” He served as a trustee of the
Worcester Foundation from 1969-87, and then as an honorary
trustee until his death in February. Mr. Hiatt’s lifelong commitment
to the city of Worcester was legendary and was
reflected in his overwhelming dedication to the improvement
of education and the celebration of the arts.With his passing,
Worcester has lost a great philanthropist, and the Worcester
Foundation and UMMS a great friend.
Another former trustee, Dr. Jim Ebert, and his wife,Alma,
were tragically killed in May in a car accident north of
their Baltimore home. A leader in the biomedical research
community, Jim served with distinction as a trustee from
1986-95. He was a professor of biology at Johns Hopkins
University, vice president of the National Academy of
Sciences, and previously served as president of the Carnegie
Institution of Washington.
Dr. Eliahu Caspi, a principal scientist emeritus of the Worcester
Foundation, and well known by many in the Foundation and
Worcester communities, died in May. Dr. Caspi made important
discoveries in understanding the mechanisms of synthesis of
steroid hormones and related biochemical substances. We
are honored that his family is establishing a lectureship in
his memory, with the first lecture scheduled for May 9, 2002.
Dr. Caspi is sorely missed by his friends and colleagues.
In November, we lost another esteemed scientist retired
from the Worcester Foundation—Dr. Elijah Romanoff.
Each of these impressive individuals will be remembered for
their foresight in advancing support of biomedical research.
In closing, I want to acknowledge my predecessor, Morton
H. Sigel, who stepped down after five years as chairman of
the Worcester Foundation. It was Mort who led the Foundation’s
negotiations to merge with UMMS in 1997, resulting in a
highly successful collaboration that holds even greater promise
for the future. His shoes are certainly large ones to fill, but I
look forward to the challenge.
With grateful thanks and best wishes,
Christopher W. Bramley
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