A Visionary Gift for a Healthier Tomorrow
With a landmark transformational gift, Joan P. Brock has established the Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health — a defining endeavor within Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University.
Joan P. Brock's extraordinary generosity reflects her lifelong belief that good health begins with sound nutrition. The gift fuels an ambitious vision: to weave nutrition and lifestyle medicine into the fabric of medical education, research, clinical care and community — empowering future clinicians and communities to live healthier lives.
Transforming How We Teach, Learn and Live Health
The Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health will redefine how nutrition and lifestyle medicine are taught, studied, and practiced. It will unite faculty and students across most disciplines – preparing future clinicians who understand the power of food and lifestyle in preventing and treating disease.
Through education, research, and community partnerships, the Institute will:
- Equip future physicians with the tools to counsel patients and communities on healthy living,
- Advance discoveries linking nutrition and chronic disease prevention,
- Enhance patient care through personalized, evidence-based approaches,
- Engage communities to change behavior, improve food access and health equity,
- Inspire collaboration across healthcare, academic, and community partners.
“This Institute will not only change how we teach medicine—it will change how we live health.”
— Dr. Alfred Abuhamad, Executive Vice President for Health Sciences
A Legacy of Vision and Generosity
Joan P. Brock’s philanthropy has shaped education and health across Virginia for decades. Her belief that good health begins with sound nutrition now finds a permanent home in the Institute that bears her name.
“This Institute will not only change how we teach medicine—it will change how we live health.”
— Dr. Alfred Abuhamad, Executive Vice President for Health Sciences
The new Institute expands on her legacy, positioning Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University as a national leader in nutrition science and health.
“Joan’s investment will touch every corner of our academic and clinical enterprise — from the classroom to the clinic to the community,” said Old Dominion University President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. “We are deeply grateful for her partnership and belief in the power of education to improve lives.”
Leading the Way Forward
As a centerpiece of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, the Institute positions the University and its partners as national leaders in nutrition science and lifestyle medicine education.
