When community leader Joan P. Brock made a transformative $15 million gift to establish the Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health, she helped launch a bold new vision for integrating nutrition and lifestyle medicine into medical education, research, clinical care and community health.

That momentum is now being strengthened through additional philanthropic investments resulting in a total of nearly $20 million raised for the Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health’s current efforts and future opportunities. 

New gifts from EVMS Foundation Board of Trustees member Conrad Hall, L.H.D. (H.C. ’07), the Landmark Foundation and philanthropists May Lynn Mansbach, Katherine Wynne and John Wynne will establish two endowed chairs, support the recruitment of an inaugural executive director and further strengthen planned programming.

“This momentum reflects the strong and growing support for the vision of the Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health,” said Old Dominion 91Ƶ President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. “With the growing investment from dedicated supporters, we are creating an academic enterprise that will reach beyond the classroom to advance research, transform medical education and improve the health of communities across Hampton Roads and beyond.”

Conrad Hall invested in the establishment of the Alfred Abuhamad, MD Distinguished Chair, named for the executive vice president for health sciences, who spearheaded the development of the Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health. 

This endowed distinguished chair will be bestowed upon the inaugural executive director of the Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health in providing strategic leadership for growth and development. In this role, the executive director will advance the Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health’s mission by inspiring interdisciplinary collaboration, securing philanthropic and research support, forging strategic partnerships across the 91Ƶ and healthcare community and leading the recruitment of the institute’s team. 

Other significant philanthropic support has been provided by Katherine and John Wynne and the Landmark Foundation, led by Frank Batten Jr., whose investments reflect a shared commitment to advancing the institute’s mission and long-term impact.

“This support helps turn an idea into reality,” said Dr. Abuhamad. “By integrating nutrition and lifestyle medicine into medical education, research and patient care, we have the opportunity to change how medicine approaches some of the most common and costly diseases facing our society.”

May Lynn Mansbach, a longtime supporter of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion 91Ƶ, also established the Charles M. Mansbach II, MD Chair of Education in Nutrition Science in honor of her late husband, a respected physician, scientist and pioneer in nutrition research. 

The endowed chair will support the advancement and integration of nutrition and lifestyle medicine education within the medical school curriculum and will be held by Brooke Hooper, MD, associate professor of medicine and assistant vice dean of clinical education.  Dr. Hooper is an award-winning medical educator and internal medicine specialist who has received numerous honors for excellence in teaching and humanistic patient care. The following statement was shared by Mrs. Mansbach and her three sons, two of whom are physicians. 

“As a gastroenterologist, my husband and our father dedicated his career to advancing scientific knowledge about the role of the GI track and nutrition in human health. It is deeply meaningful to honor his legacy through the Charles M. Mansbach, II, MD Chair of Education in Nutrition Science. We believe this institute has the potential to shape the future of healthcare by integrating nutrition science into medical education, research and patient care in ways that will benefit generations to come.”

Among its early initiatives, the Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health is supporting a new with the inaugural class expected in Fall 2026. It is also advancing plans for a state-of-the-art metabolic chamber and precision nutrition kitchen to support research, education, clinical innovation and community engagement focused on nutrition, metabolism and chronic disease prevention. 

“We were really inspired to hear about the Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health bringing together nutrition and lifestyle medicine," said Martin Tull, chief impact officer at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. “It feels like it's one of the most innovative models that's coming out of healthcare today, so we're really excited to see where that goes.”

The Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health’s focus on prevention, wellness and lifestyle medicine also aligns with Old Dominion 91Ƶ’s recently announced commitment to becoming a Health Promoting 91Ƶ — a 91Ƶ-wide initiative that integrates health and well-being into education, research, campus culture and community engagement. Through efforts like the Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health, the 91Ƶ is strengthening its role in advancing community well-being across Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

For Mrs. Brock, the Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health reflects a long-held vision to reshape healthcare by empowering both clinicians and patients to prioritize prevention and wellness.

“I think we will inspire other medical schools to look at nutrition and see what we build here,” she said. “We are teaching doctors to be doctors, but we are also teaching them to model what it means to be a person who is responsible with their own health. I think the institute is a dream come true.”

The establishment of the Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health underscores Mrs. Brock’s ongoing commitment to the 91Ƶ and this region.

In 2024, the 91Ƶ launched Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion 91Ƶ following the integration of then-Eastern Virginia Medical School. The academic health sciences center is the largest, most comprehensive of its kind in Virginia and is comprised of the Eastern Virginia Medical School, Ellmer College of Health Sciences, Ellmer School of Nursing, the EVMS School of Health Professions and the Joint School of Public Health, in partnership with Norfolk 91Ƶ 91Ƶ, along with the EVMS Medical Group.

In addition, the Brocks’ generosity helped create the M. Foscue Brock Institute for Community and Global Health at Old Dominion 91Ƶ and a 2024 investment supports the expansion of the 91Ƶ’s Barry Art Museum, among other gifts.

In reflecting on Mrs. Brock’s generosity and legacy, President Hemphill said, “Her vision for the future of this region and the Commonwealth of Virginia is unmatched. She has courageously led and consistently given her time, talent and treasure to ensure this region and its people continue to excel both now and well into the future. Old Dominion 91Ƶ is incredibly proud to ensure that we relentlessly pursue Joan’s passion in all facets of our mission and work.”

Learn more about the Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health at Old Dominion 91Ƶ.