John F. Brock III, chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Enterprises—along with his wife, Mary, and their three children—have established an endowment to support an oncology fellowship at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
The first Brock Family fellows were named last fall: Dr. Brent Ferrell Jr. graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and completed his residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Douglas B. Johnson graduated from University of Alabama School of Medicine and completed his residency at Duke University Medical Center.
“We are very interested in supporting cancer research and helping the next generation of doctors and researchers finish their training,” says John Brock. “VICC is a world-class institution, and we are really excited to be able to support the oncology efforts of young and deserving fellows there.”
The Brock family has had a special interest in cancer research since the death of John’s mother from lung and colon cancer. She did not smoke and practiced a healthy lifestyle but still succumbed to cancer in 2006. The family also has lengthy ties to Vanderbilt, with several members graduating from the university through the years.
“We are truly proud to support oncology fellows who have opportunities for transformational progress in cancer research,” says Mary Brock.
“Support for oncology research training for the next generation of clinical investigators is crucial,” says Jennifer Pietenpol, PhD’90, director of VICC. “We are increasingly reliant on private philanthropy for our research and training missions around personalized therapies for cancer patients.”