Heartfelt gift advances clinical research to improve quality of life for Alzheimer’s patients and their families

Nancy A. and Charles P. Duvall, MD

As a leader of the School of Medicine and Dentistry Class of 1962, Charles “Chuck” Duvall, MD, or “Dr. D,” has been a generous donor to the School’s annual fund for nearly 45 years. He is a proud member of the George Eastman Circle, the Wilson Society for planned giving, and the former Whipple Society.

When the society was renamed as part of the response to the student-led anti-racism pledge in 2020, Duvall began to consider redirecting his giving in a more targeted and meaningful way. “My high school sweetheart, Nancy, died five years ago after 59 years of marriage, capped by 16 years of struggle with Alzheimer’s disease,” he said.

“Unavoidably, I became immersed in the whole process and became pretty expert in the disease and in supporting its devastated fellow care-givers. The care of a person with advancing dementia is literally a ‘24/7’ job. Even when help is brought in, it is frustrating, exhausting, and socially isolating in the extreme. To watch a loved one’s personality, skills, and enjoyment of life slowly erode is anguishing. What else could I do to have impact on such situations going forward?”

Working with advancement staff, Duvall began to explore creating an endowed fund with a pledge for increased annual giving and a large estate gift. “Our alumni staff, knowing me pretty well, and being aware of the research going on at the School, introduced me to Dr. Anton Porsteinsson,” Duvall recalled.

Porsteinsson is the director of the University of Rochester’s Alzheimer’s Disease Care, Research and Education Program (AD-CARE). In addition, he is the inaugural William B. and Sheila Konar Professor of Psychiatry at the School. “His leadership of a combined team involved in several exciting projects in Alzheimer’s therapeutics and research seemed to be ‘just what the doctor ordered,’” Duvall said. “Together, we structured the Nancy A. and Charles P. Duvall, MD, Endowment for Innovative Research in Alzheimer’s Disease, which will be administered by Porsteinsson.”

By Duvall greatly increasing his annual giving, this new fund has already reached the endowed level and will start to have an impact immediately. A generous bequest in his estate will further enhance the annual budget. “In the end, the impact is more than I’d imagined, simply because I’m excited about it. Through annual reports and other contacts, I’ll be able to stay abreast of updates and progress as long as possible.”

“This gift allows us to expand our mission of advancing clinical research to improve the quality of live for our patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias as well as for their families,” said Porsteinsson. “Furthermore, our conversations on current research in Alzheimer’s and encouragement serves as a constant inspiration to do better.”

Duvall challenges classmates to think about their own legacy giving. “Each of us likely has similar areas of interest and meaning that can be developed into a legacy for future generations. For us in the class of 1962, the clock is ticking: what’s your passion?”

Click here to read more about Porsteinsson’s work and the impact of Nancy A. and Charles P. Duvall, MD, Endowment for Innovative Research in Alzheimer’s Disease.