OUR HISTORY
Dr. John Douglas French
Dr. John Douglas French, “Jack” to his friends, was a distinguished neurosurgeon and investigator. French’s research focused primarily on brain mechanisms related to epilepsy, comas, anesthesia, sleep, and wakefulness. He published more than 100 manuscripts that also highlight his interest in educational and historical issues. Additionally, he received numerous state, national, and international distinctions.
Dorothy Kirsten French
A native of Los Angeles, he earned his medical degree at USC and received additional training in neurosurgery in the East. In the late 1940s, French directed the residence program in neurosurgery at Long Beach Veteran’s Hospital. There, he met Professor H. W. Magoun, with whom he later co-founded the UCLA Brain Research Institute. He served as its director for 20 years.
He married opera star Dorothy Kirsten in 1955 and they often traveled together; he to attend medical meetings, and she to sing opera. French’s fate was ironic since he was a physician who devoted most of his career to the mysteries of brain disease. Tragically he died of Alzheimer's in 1989, after a career of searching for its cure.
Dorothy Kirsten French rose to stardom in the San Francisco and New York Metropolitan opera companies, as a world-renowned, beloved opera soprano diva. At the height of her career, she appealed to a broad public who knew her from her frequent radio, television and film performances.
Richard K. Eamer
In 1982, upon learning that her husband, John Douglas French, M.D., had Alzheimer’s disease, Mrs. French immediately ended her opera career and redirected her energies to eradicating the devastating disease. With her good friend Richard K. Eamer, Chairman and CEO of National Medical Enterprises, Inc. – now Tenet Healthcare, she cofounded The John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Foundation to support research in the cause, cure and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dorothy had a wealth of Hollywood friends who supported her cause as she hosted a series of Galas throughout the years. Together they raised millions and she had the support of many celebrities and VIP’s, some of who became honorary board members, including actors Carol Burnett, Helen Hayes and Jack Lemmon, and two First Ladies, Mrs. Barbara Bush, and Mrs.Lady Bird Johnson.
Dorothy Kirsten French will remain a legend in the world of opera forever, as well as a recipient of many international awards for her valiant fight against AD. And like the forget-me-not, the flower she personally selected as the logo for JDFAF, she will always live on in our hearts.
LEADERSHIP
Directory
Executive Board
The JDFAF Executive Board consists of individuals who are dedicated to the research mission:
(Left to Right) Genevieve McSweeney, BJ Kirwan Hanna, Bruce Miller MD, Deborah Miller, Cheryl Craft PhD, Allison Thomsen, Margaret Black
BJ Kirwan Hanna is Chair of the board of JDFAF. Both of her parents suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. BJ practiced law for almost 35 years. She was invaluable in drafting and negotiating the Strategic Plan and working on all legal agreements for the JDFAF gifts.
Allison Thomsen has served for over 10 years as the JDFAF treasurer; her father suffered from Alzheimer’s. She has been a trusted adviser throughout her tenure, and instrumental in developing the JDFAF website. She recently retired with an extensive background as a financial controller in the Sporting Goods industry.
Margaret Black, Vice President, joined the JDFAF Board in 1993; her mother suffered from Alzheimer’s for 10 years. Following a career of 29 years as a corporate insurance broker, she values the efficient focus of the Foundation and the advances made in AD research. She revised and updated JDFAF by-laws and was essential in working behind the scenes with UCLA to create two endowed professors.
Genevieve McSweeney, Secretary, has actively served on the board since 1985, providing cherished memories of Dorothy Kirsten French and Hollywood celebrities. After retiring from teaching 7th grade, Genny was President of the JDFAF Founding Associates, provided leadership and worked on the annual Galas, Day at the Races, and Musicales over the last 35 years.
Both Margaret and Genny are both active with the JDFAF Founding Associates with Karen Bedrosian Coyne. She became President of the JDFAF Founding Associates in 2009, leading this group of ladies in Southern California, whose primary mission is to raise money for AD research and to support the mission of The Foundation. Karen’s father provided legal counsel when the JDFAF was created. Karen is a lawyer and, as a UC Santa Barbara trustee, she has championed the UCSB Alzheimer’s research endowment.
Our success depends on the entire board and their philanthropy and each has contributed to the mission of the Foundation for decades.
PAST LEADERSHIP
Directory
JDFAF RESEARCH PROFESSORS
The JDFAF inaugural 9 endowed Professors and endowed research support crosses 4 California universities: 6 at UCSF, 2 at UCLA, 1 at USC and 1 at UCSB. The official inaugural celebration of UCSF’s 7 endowed professors was held on February 28, 2020 with the JDFAF Executive Board of Directors attending. The other endowed professors at USC and UCLA and research endowment at UCSB will take place later this year. JDFAF endowed an annual symposium that will be held at UCSF Memory and Aging Center in October 2020 to create a synergism between the recipients and their lab teams to solve the Alzheimer’s puzzle for future generations.
