Support for Stephen Berman, MD Endowed Chair Surpasses $2 million Milestone

The Colorado School of Public Health (ColoradoSPH) is pleased to announce the establishment of the Stephen Berman, MD Endowed Chair in Global Health. Philanthropic gifts totaling more than $2 million generously provided by The Jack and Sarita Gantz Foundation, and scores of esteemed community leaders, family, and friends, have been directed to ColoradoSPH to establish the first endowed chair at the Center for Global Health.

“I am profoundly grateful to the Berman Family for selecting our school as their partners in philanthropy and for honoring Dr. Berman’s legacy in this meaningful way,” said Dr. Cathy Bradley, dean of ColoradoSPH. “Now, the school is turning its attention to recruiting a director of the Center for Global Health to build its next phase of research, education, and community impact,” she continued. The center’s new director will be the inaugural holder of the Stephen Berman, MD Endowed Chair in Global Health.

Dr. Berman was a distinguished pediatrician and professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and was lauded for his visionary leadership on numerous health care initiatives. Concurrently, he served as the director of the Center for Global Health at the ColoradoSPH from 2011 until his death in 2023, where he dedicated much of his time building the center’s programming and international influence. Through his pioneering efforts, Dr. Berman fostered collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and organizations to improve the health and well-being of underprivileged populations here and abroad.

His commitment to raise awareness of maternal and child health issues continues to guide pediatric care and policy making in Colorado and elsewhere. This dedication is reflected in works such as Getting it Right for Children: Stories of Pediatric Care and Advocacy and Global Child Health Advocacy: On the Front Lines. Dr. Berman's impact extended beyond his clinical and academia work. He served as a special advisor to organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Dr. Berman was instrumental in designing pioneering programs like the WHO Case Management of Acute Respiratory Infections, now an integral part of the WHO's Integrated Case Management of Childhood Illness.

“This endowed chair is a testament to Steve’s contributions as a physician, friend, mentor, and leader,” said Elaine Gantz Berman. She continued, “I am confident that this endowment will serve as both a source of inspiration and tool for innovation for the next center director and first chairholder.”

In April 2024, ColoradoSPH announced the three finalists for the role of center director. Whomever is selected for the position will be positioned for greater success because of this endowment, as it will provide the crucial financial resources they may need to advance the center’s mission and impact. Building on Dr. Berman’s legacy, the chair holder will drive forward transformative initiatives aimed at tackling global health disparities head on.

Endowed chairs are a pride point of excellence, empowering faculty members to forge partnerships in public health research, education, and practice. The Stephen Berman, MD, Endowed Chair for Global Health will live on in perpetuity at the school, and ColoradoSPH will be well positioned to continue its impactful work and to shape a healthier, more equitable world for generations to come.