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Cancer experts named endowed chairs to advance patient care and research
07/19/2025
Dr. Adam Boruchov and Dr. Richard Frank are inaugural endowed chairs in oncology leadership and cancer research, thanks to their extraordinary service and the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene P. Beard.
The Nuvance Health Cancer Institute, now part of Northwell Health, has announced two new endowed chairs made possible by longtime supporters Eugene (Gene) and Nancy Beard. Dr. Adam Boruchov is the Eugene P. and Nancy J. Beard Endowed Chair in Oncology, and Dr. Richard Frank is the Nancy J. and Eugene P. Beard Endowed Chair in Cancer Research. The endowments recognize these physician leaders for their remarkable contributions to cancer care and research.
Enabling continual progress in cancer care
The Beard family’s investment in the Nuvance Health Cancer Institute will provide ongoing support for:
- Ensuring patients benefit from the latest personalized approaches to cancer care.
- Developing early detection strategies for aggressive cancers.
- Expanding access to clinical trials and next-generation treatments.
- Supporting clinical education, development and mentorship.
“Endowed chairs are the highest honor we can bestow on our physicians as they provide lasting support for the work that matters most to our patients,” said Grace Linhard, chief development officer for Nuvance Health. “We are deeply grateful to Gene and Nancy Beard, whose vision and generosity continue to shape the future of care for our communities. Their enduring commitment to both healthcare and education is truly inspiring.”
Dr. Adam Boruchov: Innovating cancer care
Dr. Adam Boruchov is senior vice president and system chair of the Nuvance Health Cancer Institute. He is a distinguished hematologist/oncologist and executive leader who oversees cancer care across all Nuvance Health hospitals and outpatient centers in the Hudson Valley and western Connecticut.
Dr. Boruchov has led efforts to align the Cancer Institute’s services, from screenings and diagnostics to treatments and survivorship. He has also focused on enhancing patient experiences and ensuring everyone has access to the highest quality, multidisciplinary compassionate care. For example, under his leadership, Nuvance Health now offers bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) therapy. This is a new type of treatment that uses the body’s immune system to target and destroy cancer cells.
Dr. Boruchov has conducted groundbreaking research in immunology, hematology and oncology that peer-reviewed medical journals have published. He has held academic leadership roles at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), Weill Medical College of Cornell University and the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, where he was a full professor.
As an Endowed Chair, Dr. Boruchov will continue to elevate cancer care and support strategic investments in research and training.
“Receiving the Endowed Chair is an incredible honor. While treatments for cancer and blood disorders have improved over the years, we need to do more to help prevent, detect and treat these diseases — all to save more lives. The added resources from the endowment will further our mission to bring the most up-to-date therapies and clinical trials to our patients, right in their own community,” Dr. Boruchov said.
Dr. Richard Frank: Advancing cancer research
Dr. Richard Frank is the system chief of clinical and translational cancer research for Nuvance Health. He is a highly regarded hematologist/medical oncologist with more than 30 years of experience caring for people with pancreatic, gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers such as prostate, kidney and bladder cancer. He also treats lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Dr. Frank has held academic leadership roles and served as a fellow and attending physician at MSK.
Dr. Frank is nationally recognized for research aimed at advancing cancer detection and outcomes. He leads efforts to bring clinical trials directly to patients, helping them access the latest breakthroughs and establishing new standards of care.
Most recently, Dr. Frank and a team of researchers published original study results in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. The results showed MRI screenings of individuals with new-onset or worsening diabetes may lead to earlier detection of pancreatic cancer. This is a major step toward establishing screening guidelines for one of the most lethal and difficult-to-detect cancers. Learn more about the study results.
As the Endowed Chair, Dr. Frank will continue bringing meaningful, real-world impact to patients and families through clinical trials and studies.
“I am honored to be named the inaugural Endowed Chair for Cancer Research and deeply committed to fulfilling its mission of finding new cures for our most difficult to treat cancers,” Dr. Frank said.
Learn more about cancer research at Nuvance Health.
A legacy of giving: The Beards’ commitment to healthcare and education
Gene and Nancy Beard of Westport, Conn., have supported Norwalk Hospital and Nuvance Health for decades, with their philanthropy advancing oncology, clinical education and women’s health services.
In 2011, the Beards named the radiation oncology suite at Norwalk Hospital’s Whittingham Cancer Center. They later supported clinical education through the Beard Learning Commons at the McGraw Center for Advanced Learning.
More recently, they have helped fund the future Bauer Family Patient Pavilion at Norwalk Hospital and named the Nancy J. Beard Women’s Wellness Center at iPark — reflecting Nancy’s passion for having multispecialty, female-focused care in one convenient location.
Gene is the founder, chair and CEO of Westport Asset Fund. Nancy is the chairwoman of the Nancy Jones Beard Foundation, and a former Norwalk Hospital volunteer and one of the major donors of the Westport Public Library.
“Gene and I are so grateful to be able to support such an important group of acclaimed individuals who are working to develop the next generation of cancer research, detection and, hopefully one day, a cure,” Gene and Nancy Beard said.
The Nuvance Health Cancer Institute will continue to grow as a regional leader in providing compassionate, high-quality care, especially as it integrates with Northwell Health. The Beards’ generosity will also help to ensure the best possible cancer care is available in the Hudson Valley and western Connecticut now and for generations to come.