Thanks to generous support from thoughtful donors and grateful patients, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center established the Rosenzweig-Feingold Family Endowed Chair in Pancreatic Disease in 2024, and appointed Steven D. Freedman, MD, PhD, as the chair’s inaugural incumbent. A world-renowned expert on pancreatic disease, Freedman is deeply respected and beloved by patients and colleagues alike. His former colleague Loren Feingold and her husband, Jeff, were moved to honor Freedman with a lead gift to name the chair.

With a bachelor’s degree in nutrition science and master’s degrees in public health and nutrition communications, Loren, a seasoned philanthropy professional, strongly believes in the importance of investing in medical research. Over her 12-year tenure in the BIDMC Office of Development from 2005–2017, she ascended to the role of Executive Director of Development and partnered with Freedman and other physician–researchers to raise critical funds for their research and clinical endeavors.

Loren met Freedman when he was studying the similarities between premature infants that showed abnormal levels of essential fatty acids and his adult patients with cystic fibrosis experiencing the same issue. This interdisciplinary work is typical for Freedman, whose research spans pancreatic and other gastrointestinal diseases, cystic fibrosis, and cancer. “He revolutionizes the way people think about health and disease,” says Loren, reflecting on how much she learned from Freedman during their time working together. His drive to collaborate across disciplines, fields, and populations, and his “special brand of humanity” left an enduring impression on her. “Part of his brilliance is his ability to see the patient as a whole person, beyond their disease,” she says. An innovative problem-solver, Freedman treats patients with the most complex of medical conditions, managing every aspect of their care.

Loren and Jeff carefully considered the impact their gift would make. “We wanted to invest in a leader who is emblematic of BIDMC, a trailblazing institution. Steve embodies that,” Loren says. “There are a few times in your life when you feel certain about a big decision. We felt certain about this.” To honor the memory of Loren’s late father, Kenneth Rosenzweig—who she says was forward-thinking, a pioneer, like Freedman—Loren and Jeff named the chair the Rosenzweig-Feingold Family Endowed Chair in Pancreatic Disease.

Freedman is Director of the Pancreas Center in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and Chief of the Division of Translational Research at BIDMC, as well as Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He oversees an extensive research program for new therapies for pancreatic disease, and considers donor support essential to his work. “Philanthropy has enabled every aspect of my research,” Freedman says. “I am beyond grateful to Loren and Jeff and to every donor who supported this chair.”

The Rosenzweig-Feingold Family Endowed Chair in Pancreatic Disease will help advance Freedman’s research and support clinical advances in pancreatic disease, helping him disseminate his patient-centered approach and learnings to the international medical community. The chair will also strengthen BIDMC’s ability to attract and retain visionary physician–researchers, like Freedman, who will continue transforming future care and treatments for pancreatic disease.

Honoring Freedman is deeply meaningful to Loren and Jeff Feingold. Loren’s relationship to BIDMC and Freedman grew more personal over time as close family members received lifesaving care at BIDMC and beyond, through guidance, clinical counsel, and compassionate support from Freedman himself. “Jeff and I are so grateful to have Steve in our lives,” Loren says. “It is truly an honor to give back and express our appreciation for all the lives Steve has forever changed, and will continue to change for years to come.”

To support the Rosenzweig-Feingold Family Endowed Chair in Pancreatic Disease, please contact Myriah Kulin at 978-807-3313 or mkulin@bilh.org.

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