Ever since 2015, when Sandi Schussel was successfully treated for a cancer called angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), she and her husband, George, have focused their philanthropy on medical providers and researchers making a difference for patients with cancer and connected conditions.

When Sandi was first diagnosed with cancer, her biopsy confirmed lymphoma — and the test also revealed Sandi’s lymph nodes were filled with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). While the virus is common, infecting 95% of adults in their lifetime, it can cause long-term effects for some. It was the first virus found to cause human malignancy and is now linked to nearly 200,000 cases of cancer each year and to autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis. However, it is not yet clear what triggers the virus to affect some individuals this way.

Generosity to drive new learning

Eager to help understand and ultimately solve this puzzle, the Schussels began supporting Ben Gewurz, MD, PhD, an expert in virology and infectious diseases at Mass General Brigham, whose lab studies Epstein-Barr virus and cancer biology.

“We hope Ben’s research can help illustrate the virus’s causal role in various types of cancer,” says George.

The couple recently made their largest commitment yet — $4 million to establish the George and Sandra K. Schussel Professorship of Medicine in the Field of Infectious Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. In a December 2025 ceremony, Gewurz was honored as the inaugural incumbent.

At the celebration, Mass General Brigham’s chair of medicine, Jose Florez, MD, PhD, reflected, “Thanks to George and Sandi’s generosity, the Schussel Professorship will help bring health and healing to countless lives, particularly to those who are immunocompromised and highly vulnerable.”

Florez also noted endowed funding for professorships is critical for emerging leaders at Mass General Brigham to propel their work to greater heights. He added, “This professorship is an extraordinary way to celebrate Ben’s outstanding career as a physician-scientist, thought leader, and mentor. He will be empowered to help shape the future of the field.”

For Sandi and George, this journey brings them full circle. Sandi was educated as a nurse at the Brigham, and George received degrees at Harvard University ’62 and Harvard Business School ’66, institutions that continue to play a meaningful role in their lives.

“The Brigham and Harvard communities are filled with brilliant people, and George and I feel fortunate we met Ben Gewurz along the way,” says Sandi. “He is such a guiding presence and source of wisdom in compassionate, evidence-based care. And his scientific investigations are highly regarded. If he can develop better understanding in this area, we believe there’s potential for medical advances.”

Honoring a career of achievements

For Gewurz, this recognition is an immense source of pride. He says, “I’m thrilled to be named the George and Sandra K. Schussel Associate Professor of Medicine in the Field of Infectious Diseases.”

Gewurz will continue pursuing his investigations, which have earned him numerous accolades, while mentoring junior physician-scientists and serving as an attending physician on the Brigham and Women’s Dana-Farber immunocompromised host infectious disease inpatient consult service and as associate chair of the Harvard PhD Program in Virology. For more than 20 years, he has been part of the Mass General Brigham community, starting in clinical and postdoctoral research fellow roles. He recently received the prestigious honor of being named a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, served as president of the International EBV Association, is a fellow of the American Society of Clinical Investigation, and contributes to the editorial boards of several virology journals.

“While we have made many gains, knowledge remains incomplete about mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of a wide range of EBV-driven malignancies, in particular AITL,” Gewurz says. “Thank you to George and Sandi for their heartfelt, enthusiastic support to push this critical work forward. Their generous support will enable us to pursue high-risk, high-reward questions with the goal of developing novel, highly-targeted therapeutic approaches.”

Brighter days ahead

Enthusiastic only begins to describe how Sandi and George feel about this work.

“Ben’s lab could lead to breakthroughs in prevention, treatment, and cures,” George says. “Such progress would relieve suffering for millions worldwide and represent one of the most significant advances in modern medicine — transforming our understanding of viral infection, immune regulation, and human health itself.”

At the ceremony, Florez noted that patients are at the center of all Gewurz does. “He has made a singular difference to patients and families. In their moments of worry and deep uncertainty, he offers steadiness and hope for brighter days ahead.”