Judson Family Completes $1 Million Philanthropic Commitment to the Colorado School of Public Health

The Colorado School of Public Health (ColoradoSPH) is pleased to announce the completion of the Franklyn N. Judson, MD, Endowed Fund for Impact on Public Health Policy, a visionary initiative made possible by more than $1 million in philanthropic gifts from Drs. Frank and Marti Judson. The fund aims to provide flexible support for the school up to and including research, education, policy formation, and various community outreach initiatives.

“The School of Public Health is deeply grateful for the Judson family’s incredible generosity,” said Cathy Bradley, PhD, dean of ColoradoSPH. “This transformational gift will help make a difference in the lives of countless Coloradans through robust research and sound public policy.”

Frank's illustrious career began in 1974 upon joining the then-University of Colorado Health Sciences Campus as a clinician and educator. Since then, his five decades of commitment at the University included service as a faculty member at the School of Medicine, roles in the Division of Infectious Diseases, and the Department of Preventive Medicine & Biometrics, the precursor to the Colorado School of Public Health. Throughout his career, Judson has been a driving force in translating ideas into clear plans of action. His passion for shaping the public health profession while informing policies was evident during his many roles, including his long tenure as director of Denver Public Health and Environment, especially in the areas of HIV/AIDS and tobacco research and prevention and other critical issues facing the Mile High City.

“It is an honor to invest in the future successes of faculty and students at the Colorado School of Public Health. These public health leaders are working to transform the health of communities across Colorado and beyond, and it is my hope that my contributions continue to move the field forward,” expressed Frank.

Frank’s wife Marti is a pharmacist. She received degrees in pharmacy, first a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas, and then a doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Southern California. She completed a residency at the United States Veteran's Administration in Los Angeles in outpatient pharmacy practice prior to her recruitment by the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy as an Assistant Professor in 1975, where she led efforts in the development of a new clinical pharmacy program centered in Denver. The program involved patient care experiences for students in hospital and retail pharmacy settings in Denver and a number of settings throughout Colorado, including the university's Area Health Education Center (AHEC) program in its startup phase at various rural areas in the state with the vision that every person in Colorado will have the opportunity to attain their full and best health potential.

During her seven years with the School of Pharmacy, the program provided the opportunity to work with health professionals in research to enhance patient care, resulting in the provision of better Diabetes Management with the introduction of Home Blood Glucose Monitoring for Patients.

Reflecting on her time during the advancements made in public health, Marti said, "Frank and I found that our particular careers, which focused on a realm of public health issues and solutions, blended well in our efforts to enhance the progress of health care and provide for future progress.” She continues, “from the Colorado School of Public Health 's successful first year to the present day, we have been committed to the continued evolution of the institution’s achievements and growth—like being one of the highest ranked in the country.”

In 2017, the Judsons took a pivotal step by establishing the Franklyn N. Judson, MD, Endowed Fund for Impact on Public Health Policy. This forward-thinking fund will make significant strides in providing flexible support to enhance strategic initiatives, address public health policy, and translate health evidence into practice. Recently, the pair completed their multi-year pledge commitment now successfully securing a fund exceeding $1.2 million. It will enable ColoradoSPH to further public health research and policy implementation in perpetuity and is one of the most pivotal endowments supporting the school.

When asked to summarize what this gift means to ColoradoSPH and the public health profession, Dean Bradley concludes, “The Judsons demonstrate incredible insight into the power of policy and its ability to affect the lives of millions of people. Their gift allows our school to be at the forefront of creative, impactful policy solutions.”