UCSF Receives $100 Million for Memory and Aging Center

San Francisco, CA – The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has announced a landmark $100 million gift to its Memory and Aging Center (MAC), now officially named the Edward and Pearl Fein Memory and Aging Center. This major contribution comes from the Edward Fein Charitable Trust.

UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood noted the urgency of addressing neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer’s. He highlighted that the funding will greatly enhance research, education, and patient care in the face of increasing dementia rates. “There is a growing recognition that neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s are affecting many more people, making our work in this area more urgent than ever,” Hawgood said.

Edward Fein, who was a stockbroker and financial analyst, appreciated the care he received from UCSF and wanted to leave a legacy in dementia research. His wife, Pearl, shared this commitment to advancing care.

The Fein MAC, embedded within the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, has played a crucial role in developing new brain scans and blood tests for Alzheimer’s, leading national clinical trials to enhance diagnosis and treatment. The gift will help expand their work amid funding challenges. “Particularly in times of funding challenges, these types of flexible gifts are extremely helpful,” said S. Andrew Josephson, MD, chair of the Department of Neurology.

Dr. Bruce Miller, the founding director of the Fein MAC, has noted fascinating findings, such as the potential for frontotemporal dementia to unlock hidden artistic traits in some patients. This research highlights the close collaboration between clinicians and scientists at the Fein MAC.

The center also emphasizes educational outreach, training professionals across various disciplines, and implementing community programs. With projections showing that 150 million people worldwide will live with dementia by 2050, the work being done is increasingly vital.

Dr. Gil Rabinovici, an Edward and Pearl Fein Distinguished Professor at the Fein MAC, thanked the Fein family for their ongoing support since 2015, which has been instrumental in pursuing enhanced patient care and innovative treatment paths.

The recent donation ensures that the Fein MAC’s important research and care efforts will continue for generations to come.