A MILLION DOLLAR GIFT

Cousins Robert Epstein and James Rubenstein of the Horizon Beverage Company have donated $1 million to Brigham and Women’s Hospital to create the hospital’s first Distinguished Chair in Rheumatology.  The chair honors the outstanding work of immunology and allergy pioneer K. Franks Austen, MD, while fueling the efforts of Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD to find treatments and cures for arthritis and joint diseases.  Now retired, Dr. Austen serves as director of the hospital’s research section on inflammation.  The chair was completed with an institutional match as part of the hospital’s Matching Gift Endowment Program.  Dr. Coblyn is the first incumbent physician to be so honored.  The hospital’s connection to the Epsteins and Rubensteins extends beyond Robert and James.  Dr. Austen was the physician for James’ mother, and Dr. Coblyn is now the family physician.  “Since 1982, these families have made many contributions to Brigham and Women’s Hospital,” said Dr. Austen.  “This generous gift is just the most recent example of the long and deep support that the Epsteins and Rubensteins have provided to the Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy.”  Said Dr. Coblyn, “This wonderful donation will allow the Division of Rheumatology to maintain its preeminence as a clinical and educational leader.”  “This gift is a small way for me and the family to thank Dr. Austen for his vitally important work, while keeping the fires burning for the research that Dr. Coblyn is doing,” said Robert Epstein.  “We only wish we could give more.”