Supporting the future of health

Adelstein Brown believes that by investing in students, your investment will be repaid over decades as those students develop and become leaders in their profession. This belief has transpired into two fully funded awards for students and residents at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. The Dr. John D. Brown Memorial Resident Award and the Unnur Brown Leadership Award in Health Policy honour Brown's parents, their commitment to health care and the enrichment of the human condition. Brown funded and established both awards along with the Larry and Cookie Rossy Family Foundation. The Foundation played a major role in structuring and supporting the awards. "Without their support - both personal and financial," says Brown, "we would not have been able to make the gift."

An only child, Brown was born and raised in London, Ontario. His father, John, was a neurologist and professor in the then Faculty of Medicine, Western University. Known for his deep commitment to patient care, Dr. Brown chose to practice in Canada, because he never wanted to have to worry about a patient's ability to pay for care. "Even as a child I could see my father's commitment to helping people and his remarkable respect for people," says Brown. His mother, Unnur, had trained as a nurse and was equally committed to caring for those in the community, especially those who were the most vulnerable.

The award honouring Brown's father will recognize a postgraduate trainee in a residency program in any area of medicine who displays excellence in patient-centred care and reflects the values and practices of Dr. Brown - who always put his patients first. Dr. Teneille Gofton, Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, was the 2012 recipient of the award. Meanwhile the award honouring his mother will support a student completing their fourth year in the undergraduate medical program who has demonstrated integrity and the potential to become a leader in health policy. This award reflects his mother's strong interest in health policy and her belief that our health system would only be sustainable through stronger and stronger leadership from the clinical professions.

"I think that supporting awards for students and learners are the right place to start building a strong foundation for our health system," says Brown. For him, the decision to support Schulich Medicine & Dentistry came as a result of his family's connection and also a belief that the School is working hard to train leaders who will have the breadth and capacity to lead the Canadian health care system. "I am hopeful that my gifts will help create the foundation for the School to meet this challenge."