Chapman Foundation Funds Fellowship at Nation’s #1 Respiratory Hospital

DECEMBER 16, 2011

DENVER — On Thursday, December 16, H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Charitable Foundation Trustees Donne Pitman and Jerry Dickman accepted the National Jewish Health Chairman’s Award. Since 1978, the foundation has funded basic and clinical research at the leading research and treatment facility in the world for respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders. The most recent gift of $180,000 to National Jewish Health funded the Chapman Fellowship in the National Jewish Health Center for Genes, Environment and Health.

The Chapman Fellowship supports the work of Max Seibold, PhD, who has identified the strongest common genetic factor associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a disease that causes lung tissue to become thickened, stiff and scarred and impedes oxygen from entering the bloodstream.

“Our responsibility as stewards of the Chapman foundation is to benefit mankind.  We believe that the support we give to National Jewish Health clearly meets that responsibility, and we are pleased to be associated with such a long-standing and preeminent world leader in the care and research of respiratory issues,” said Dickman.

The Chairman’s Award is bestowed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of National Jewish Health upon individuals whose volunteer efforts move National Jewish Health forward in important and constructive ways.  The recipients’ contributions on behalf of the institution strengthen our programs, raise awareness of our services and make new initiatives possible. 

National Jewish Health is known worldwide for treatment of patients with respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders, and for groundbreaking medical research. Founded in 1899 as a nonprofit hospital, National Jewish Health remains the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to these disorders. Since 1998, U.S. News & World Report has ranked National Jewish Health the #1 respiratory hospital in the nation.