John W. “Jack” Rowe Donates $1 Million to Buck Institute

Dr. John W. "Jack" Rowe, a healthcare visionary influential in the establishment of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, has donated $1 million to the Institute. The announcement was made by Buck CEO and President Brian K. Kennedy, PhD, at the June 1 kick-off event for the newly established Buck Advisory Council (BAC).

Dr. Rowe is a Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Previously he served as Chairman and CEO of Aetna, Inc. one of the nation's leading health care and related benefits organizations. Dr. Rowe, the founding Director of the Division of Aging at the Harvard Medical School, has received many honors and awards for his research on the physiology of aging and health policy efforts regarding care of the elderly. Currently he leads the MacArthur Foundation's Network on an Aging Society. In 1985, Dr. Rowe lead a panel of renowned experts in aging who recommended the creation of the Buck Institute to bring together scientists from diverse fields to focus on research to extend the healthy years of life. He was the first chair of Buck's Scientific Advisory Board and served on the Institute's Board of Trustees.

"I have always believed in the mission of the Buck Institute and have been impressed with its extraordinary progress since it opened its doors just 12 years ago," said Dr. Rowe, who is making the donation along with his wife Valerie Rowe, PhD, a former Professor in the Graduate School of Education at Fordham University. "Ideally this gift will spur others to support the Buck in a similar way. The Institute's focus on extending healthspan is perfectly attuned to the needs of an aging global population."

"Jack Rowe's vision and ongoing support helps sustain the scientific goals of the Buck Institute and allows our research to thrive," said Kennedy. "Announcing this gift, coming from someone actively committed to creating a society that supports successful aging, is the perfect way to celebrate the establishment of the Buck Advisory Council. We thank Jack and Valerie for their donation and welcome their continuing partnership in our success."

The newly formed BAC is a distinguished group of men and women from the United States and around the world dedicated to helping advance the Buck Institute's scientific and educational mission. Members include leaders in government, business, finance, pharmaceuticals, law and other fields of endeavor. These leaders provide advice on strategic priorities, serve as ambassadors to raise the visibility of Institute achievements, and set the pace for philanthropic support. The BAC will hold its first 3-day meeting on the Buck campus beginning on June 1. There are currently 30 members of the BAC; that number is expected to grow to 100 by the end of the year.