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About the Program · History of the Beeson Program
The Beeson program had its impetus in a series of Institute of Medicine reports
that, beginning in 1978, highlighted a growing need for physicians trained in
aging-related issues. After the 1993 report called for more support of geriatrics
research and training, Donna Regenstreif, PhD, Senior Program Officer of The John
A. Hartford Foundation; Margaret Mahoney, then-President of The Commonwealth Fund;
and Ray Handlan, Senior Advisor of The Atlantic Philanthropies, began discussing
joint strategies for addressing the shortage of physicians interested in aging
and dedicated to teaching, research, and practice.
In 1994, a group of foundations and nonprofit organizations launched the Paul
B. Beeson Physician Faculty Scholars in Aging Research Program, now known as
the Paul B. Beeson Career Development Awards in Aging Research Program. This
group set out a large award—$450,000 over three years—and named the program
after one of medicine's leading physician-scientists. It gathered some of the
most talented senior leaders in geriatrics and aging research to oversee the
award winners' selection. The intent was to create a dynamic new cadre of physician-scientists
capable of developing breakthrough research, committed to mentoring and teaching
the next generation of physicians about the care of older adults, and able to
provide needed leadership for the field. In 2004, the National Institute on
Aging (NIA) added its support to the program, expanding the size of the award
to $600,000 to $800,000 for a three- to five-year period. NIA and the American
Federation for Aging Research currently share administrative responsibilities
for the program, with AFAR conducting the Beeson annual meeting.
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