Donors Making a Difference

Read stories from some of the people who have been inspired by focused ultrasound and understand its true potential.

The Kissick Family Foundation

The Kissick Family Foundation believes in bold philanthropy and investing in scientific research, especially for neurodegenerative diseases. Learn more about why this foundation is passionate about advancing focused ultrasound.

Thomas Daschle

Former US Senator Thomas Daschle leads The Daschle Group, a public policy advisory firm specializing in economic, policy, and political issues. As a Foundation Council member, Senator Daschle shares in his donor profile why he supports the technology and the Foundation.

Mo and John Pritzker

Foundation Council member Mo Pritzker is a serial entrepreneur and futurist, and her husband, John, is founding partner and director of Geolo Capital. In their donor profile, the couple shares why they support the Foundation and how they see focused ultrasound changing medicine.

Cassiopeia Foundation and Ethan Miller

Ethan Miller is a principal in his family-run Cassiopeia Foundation, which has supported focused ultrasound research for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Sharon McBay

Sharon McBay shares her personal motivation for supporting the Focused Ultrasound Foundation and her hope for this technology.

Katie and Todd Boehly

A family health condition led the Boehlys to learn about the promise of focused ultrasound.

Proud to Give Anonymously

One invaluable supporter is in awe of focused ultrasound’s potential and gives generously upfront, allowing the Foundation to focus on research and development.

Ray Chambers

A philanthropist, humanitarian, and an early pioneer in the private equity landscape, Mr. Chambers is also Ambassador to the World Health Organization for Global Strategy and Health Financing.

Rick Frisbie

Rick Frisbie spent his career as a distinguished executive in the financial industry, working most recently for Morgan Stanley as a Senior Vice President and Portfolio Management Director.

Gary Shapiro

Gary Shapiro is president and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™, which owns and produces CES®, the global stage for innovation.

Paul Manning

Paul Manning is Chairman and CEO of PBM Capital, a healthcare-focused investment firm for companies in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries.

Jane and Dorothy Batten

The Batten family ranks among the most impactful philanthropists of our time, playing a major role in enhancing the educational and cultural resources of Virginia.

Russ Carson

Russ Carson is a cofounder of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, a leading private equity investor and owner of companies in the health care and information technology industries.

Ellie Block

Ellie Block, generous donor and Council Member, spoke with the Foundation about her interest in focused ultrasound, her involvement with the Foundation, and her commitment to pediatric initiatives.

W. Heywood Fralin

W. Heywood Fralin is the chairman of Medical Facilities of America, which operates 40 skilled nursing facilities. He is also co-chairman of Retirement Unlimited, which operates six assisted-living facilities in Virginia.

Tom Gentile

Tom Gentile was named president and chief executive officer of Spirit AeroSystems in August 2016. Spirit is an $8 billion manufacturer of structures such as fuselages and wings for commercial and military aircraft.

Anonymous Donor

Inspired by a presentation at TEDx Charlottesville in 2015, one Foundation donor chooses to support our mission without recognition.

Bob Hirsch

Bob Hirsch was the chairman of Gold Eagle Co., a company that manufactures products that protect and preserve vehicles, boats, and outdoor power equipment.

Albert Small, Sr.

Mr. Albert Small, Sr., was a real-estate developer with a passion for collecting historical documents. His granddaughter Isabella spoke with him about focused ultrasound’s impact on medicine.

Carol Loomis

Carol Loomis spent her career reporting on complex financial and business subjects for Fortune Magazine. She played a role in the first mention of focused ultrasound in the publication.

Jimmy Wright, PhD

Dr. Jimmy Wright led the Jefferson Scholars Foundation for the past 35 years.

Sherry Sharp

Sherry Sharp founded the Rick Sharp Alzheimer’s Foundation in memory of her husband and to bring a greater awareness to the need for research funding.

Morry Blumenfeld, PhD

S. Morry Blumenfeld, PhD, is an authority on medical device development, specifically in the areas of imaging and minimally invasive procedures.

Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel is a musician who founded the group Genesis and has pursued a solo career releasing albums and film scores.

Harry Lester

Harry Lester served on the Board of Visitors and then as interim president for Eastern Virginia Medical School. Then, after his wife’s battle with cancer and Alzheimer’s and his own diagnosis of stage-four cancer, his interest in medical research took a personal turn.

John and Dudley Macfarlane

John and Dudley Macfarlane share why the technology’s potential, a personal hope, and the local connection have made them loyal supporters of the Foundation’s work.

Eddie Smith

Eddie Smith, owner, chairman and CEO of Grady-White Boats, first learned about focused ultrasound when his wife was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He has since become a supporter of the Foundation’s efforts.

Rick and Susan Goings

Rick and Susan Goings are trailblazers in their careers. He serves as Chairman and CEO of Tupperware Brands, and she is an acclaimed newscaster and on-air personality.

Fredericka and Howard Stevenson

Fredericka and Howard Stevenson serve on the Foundation’s Council and are passionate, enthusiastic advocates who help raise awareness of the technology.

Richard Merkin, MD

In 2014, Dr. Richard Merkin established a fellowship opportunity for international researchers, bringing scientists from around the world to work with the technical and scientific teams at the Foundation on specific research projects.

Bill Crutchfield

Bill Crutchfield, founder of the Crutchfield Corporation, has been friends with Neal F. Kassell, MD, for more than 30 years, and Crutchfield along with his wife, Scheline, are generous supporters of the Foundation.

Peter Skinner

Artist and writer Peter Skinner donated the proceeds from his painting exhibit at Les Yeux du Monde gallery in Charlottesville, Va., to the Foundation.

Floyd and Bruce Gottwald

Floyd and Bruce Gottwald share a rich history of philanthropic support. They also both generously and consistently support the Focused Ultrasound Foundation.

Phil Wendel

Phil Wendel, founder and CEO of Charlottesville, Va.-based acac Fitness & Wellness Centers, was introduced to the Focused Ultrasound Foundation’s mission nearly a decade ago by founder and chairman Neal Kassell, MD.

The Andrew J. Lockhart Fellowship

At the behest of Gene and Terry Lockhart, the Foundation established the Andrew J. Lockhart Fellowship for focused ultrasound research into solid tumors to honor their son Andrew who passed away in September 2016.

Michael Donovan

Advertising technology pioneer Michael Donovan, Vice Chairman of Mediaocean, supports the Foundation’s work to ensure that focused ultrasound will fulfill its potential to transform the future of medicine.

Jim Morley

After learning about FUS in a TEDMED talk named “Healing Without Cuts,” Jim Morley was “enthralled” and soon became a donor to the Foundation.

Mark and Muffin

Mark and his sister Muffin watched their mother suffer with essential tremor. Then, when both of them felt their own tremor progressing, they turned to focused ultrasound.

Doris McArdle

In November 2010, the indomitable, 89-year-old Doris McArdle boarded a trans-Atlantic flight from Chicago to London and underwent a noninvasive MR-guided focused ultrasound procedure to relieve acute pain and discomfort caused by a large benign tumor in her pancreas.