As the son of a retired academic physician—Seymour Perlin, MD—and an art educator—Ruth Perlin—who believed that the goal of work should be to make the world a better place for others, it was an easy decision for Jonathan B. Perlin (NAM ‘15) and his wife Donna J. Perlin to make a generous donation to establish the Jonathan B. Perlin M.D. and Donna J. Perlin M.D. Fund at the National Academy of Medicine. “When science and expertise seem vulnerable to politics and misinformation, supporting the nation’s foremost authority on science, engineering, and medicine is critical,” stated Jonathan.

As loyal donors who have supported the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) annually for the past seven years, Jonathan and Donna wanted to do something more substantial in supporting the ongoing work of the National Academies with their most recent donation. Their gift creates the third named position at the NAM, The Jonathan B. Perlin M.D. and Donna J. Perlin M.D. Director of NAM Programs and is an investment in the future success of the Academy.

“The National Academies are a national treasure and an international resource. We hope that decision-makers and leaders not only appreciate the National Academy of Medicine as a resource for objective, evidence-based advice but support and expand the Academy’s work as the country tackles increasingly complex health care and social challenges,” Donna and Jonathan remarked.

Jonathan has personally provided leadership and expertise to numerous NAM programs and activities, including Crossing the Quality Chasm, serving as chair of the Leadership Consortium on High Value Healthcare, former co-chair of the Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic, and most recently, serving on the Steering Committee for the Action Collaborative on Decarbonizing the U.S. Health System.

National Academy of Medicine President Victor J. Dzau highlighted the importance of endowing positions to the ongoing work of the NAM. “The Academy’s dedicated staff are the foundation of our efforts to achieve a healthier future for everyone,” Dzau said. “On behalf of the NAM, we are truly grateful for Jonathan and Donna’s generous gift to name the NAM Director of Programs. Their generosity will benefit the Academy and, in turn, the nation for years to come.”

Jonathan and Donna are now members of the National Academies’ esteemed Lincoln Society. The Lincoln Society honors members and friends whose lifetime giving is $1 million or more to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

When asked about what they hope their generosity inspires in others, Jonathan and Donna recall a quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the motto of the NAM Learning Consortium, “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”