“Joel is such a dedicated and creative educator. We know that under his mentorship, today’s young physicians will mature into tomorrow’s medical leaders.”
—CYNDY FISH

“Challenges in our healthcare system are so complex they can seem overwhelming at times,” says John Fish, Life.Giving.Breakthroughs. campaign chair and chair of the Board of Trustees at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “But if we work together, nothing is impossible.”

This optimism drives the philanthropy of John and his wife, Cyndy, who are visionary benefactors at the Brigham.

To ensure young physicians receive the best training for tackling medicine’s most vexing challenges, the couple pledged $2 million to establish the Cynthia and John F. Fish Distinguished Chair in Medical Education, with Joel T. Katz, MD, as the nominated incumbent. As director of the Brigham’s internal medicine residency program and vice chair of education in the Department of Medicine, Katz is an essential partner in the Fishes’ effort to improve medical care.

“I have enormous respect for Joel,” John says. “He’s focused on the future. He’s thinking, ‘What about medicine tomorrow? Where is it going? And how do we ensure the next generation of families will receive even better care than is possible now?’”

The Fishes’ generosity gives Katz the resources to develop innovative training programs, such as incorporating genetics into primary care, identifying and ameliorating social determinants of uneven health outcomes, and equipping young physicians with managerial skills so they can improve the quality and affordability of healthcare systems.

“Joel is such a dedicated and creative educator,” Cyndy says. “We know that under his mentorship, today’s young physicians will mature into tomorrow’s medical leaders.”

“To be named the inaugural Fish chair is an extraordinary honor and obligation,” says Katz. “Cyndy and John have done so much for the Brigham. Their names are synonymous with excellence, innovation, and the highest standards of patient-focused care and advocacy. I will strive every day to live up to their example.”

Over the years, the Fishes have carefully invested in people and projects at the Brigham poised to impact healthcare for years to come.

“Cyndy and I have every confidence the Brigham will continue to transform medicine, as it has throughout its history,” John says. “And Joel will continue to develop pioneers who advance medicine into the 22nd century.”