Investing in Future Innovators

It was word of mouth that brought UCSF to Jonathan B. Ferrini’s attention. A dedicated philanthropist, Mr. Ferrini was reviewing his estate plan when he heard about UCSF’s premier program in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research.

This, he decided, was where he would entrust a gift in honor of his father, Dante R. Ferrini, who had suffered from the disease for years before he passed away at the age of 88. 

From initial warning signs to a rapid decline over just three years, Mr. Ferrini saw firsthand the effects Alzheimer’s disease and dementia could have on a loved one. 

“My father had a tough life, but he had a long run despite the disease,” Mr. Ferrini said. “Now, I'm supporting research into the disease that befell him. I think that would make him very happy. There are people a lot younger than he was who are being diagnosed now, and that’s why I chose to make this gift.”

With his bequest, Mr. Ferrini will establish the Jonathan B. Ferrini Endowment at UCSF to support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. He specifically chose UCSF because of its innovative research program at the Department of Neurology. Since Mr. Ferrini made his gift, UCSF’s Medical Center has been recognized as the nation's best hospital for neurology and neurosurgery in the 2021-22 Best Hospitals survey by U.S. News & World Report.

“Neurodegenerative diseases remain an area that is in need of great research and groundbreaking therapies,” said Andrew Josephson, MD, Chair of the Department of Neurology and the Carmen Castro Franceschi and Gladyne K. Mitchell Neurohospitalist Distinguished Professor. “Our laboratory based and clinical researchers need the type of support that is always going to be there for them. Gifts like this are so valuable because they allow us to plan for the future.”

Not only will the endowment grow in perpetuity, but such funds can also be augmented over time to increase their growth. With this endowment, the Department of Neurology will have a reliable funding source for young investigators in particular to pursue high-risk, high-reward research. Because of the difficulty in guaranteeing successful results, such important and impactful research is difficult to fund through traditional sources, like federal grants. 

Dr. Josephson said endowments like Mr. Ferrini’s fund empower a department to funnel resources to faculty members “to do the type of research and translational care that can make the difference, not only in Alzheimer's patients here at UCSF but well beyond.”

“I realize my gift won’t come up with a cure for dementia and Alzheimer's,” Mr. Ferrini said. “Instead, I hope it will be a springboard for others to also support young faculty members who are at the cutting edge of research. That’s what will make an impact for decades to come.”