philanthropic impact
Kay Professorship Attracts Leader in Maternal and Infant Health
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Russ and Judy Carson renewed their support for the Carson Family Scholarship Program at Harvard School of Public Health. Established in 2001, the program has bolstered scholarship funding for students throughout the School. The Carsons also provide generous support to HSPH students through the Carson Family Fellowship in Health Policy and Management. Since 1994, nearly 100 students, with financial assistance from the Carson Family, have attended the School to gain the skills needed to become public health leaders, and more will soon
be funded. Russ is a founding partner of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, one of the nation’s largest investment firms specializing in the purchase of privately owned companies in the information
Kent Dayton/HSPH, Suzanne Camarata
tephen Kay decided to establish a new professorship in epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health with a straightforward goal: to alleviate sickness and reduce deaths. Kay, who has also supported student financial aid at HSPH, called the School “extraordinary.” Stephen Kay Kay, AB ’56, MBA ’58, PA, a Goldman Sachs senior director and longtime Harvard supporter, said the first person to be named the Stephen B. Kay Family Professor of Public Health—Michelle Williams, who is the new chair of the Department of Epidemiology—has conducted impressive research on the health of mothers and infants. “I hope that her work can save lives,” he said. Formerly a professor of epidemiology and global health at the University of Washington School of Public Health, Williams is an expert in women’s reproductive health and child health. Her work focuses on integrating genomic sciences and epidemiological research methods to identify risk factors, diagnostic markers, treatments, and prevention targets for disorders that contribute to maternal and infant mortality. She currently has research and teaching collaborations with epidemiologists in Chile, Ethiopia, Peru, and Thailand (see related article on Williams on page 7). David Hunter, Vincent L. Gregory Professor in Cancer Prevention and Dean for Academic Affairs, commented that in addition to conducting important research, Williams has “a stellar track record of mentoring.” Earlier this year, President Barack Obama presented Williams with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. Hunter added that having named chairs provides crucial support for department leadership, such as setting strategic direction or recruiting talented faculty. The establishment of the Kay Professorship, he said, “was very helpful in trying to attract Michelle here from her highly successful, well-established career at the University of Washington.”
Carson Family REnews Scholarship support Across HSPH
services and health care industries. Judy is the founder and executive director of Learning to Look, a program that teaches art appreciation to inner-city children. Read why Russ Carson thinks scholarship funding is an important investment in the future on page 52.
Winter 2012
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