Background
The Hopper-Belmont Foundation encourages individuals and families to make a positive impact in improving health outcomes by supporting young passionate talent who have the drive to make a difference.
The genesis of the Foundation was the merger of two families - the Hoppers and the Belmonts. Dr Paul F Hopper was a globally recognized innovator in the world of health and nutrition, being asked to lead the Food and Drug Administration by President Carter - which Paul turned down to lead other opportunities like the World Food Prize and various health and nutrition industry groups. Gloria Belmont Hopper was the 10th of 12 children born to Anthony and Philomena Belmont - who epitomize the American dream of rags to riches through hard work, education, faith, and high moral standards. Importantly, both families gave rise to generations that in various ways support the belief that everyone can help make a difference - especially in health and wellness.
Our board directors and advisors include world class academic institution leaders,(MD/PhD's) from Harvard (MGH/Dana Farber) UPMC, Columbia, Mount Sinai, and patient advocates associated with the NIH/National Cancer Institutes, Department of Defense, National Pancreas Foundation, GI Cancers Alliance, Target Cancer, Red Ribbon Foundation, Larry King Cardiac Foundation, National Organization Rare Disorders Rare Cancer Alliance, DREAM, Making Headway, to name just a few.
We welcome you and your family to join in the various seed funding opportunities being reviewed each year. Together we can help inspire young talent to better the world, battling one disease at a time. Click here to learn more.
The team
Department of Defense Cancer Grant Advisor; Department of Defense Cancer Stakeholders’ Panel Member; National Pancreas Foundation
Medical & Scientific Advisory Board
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Assistant Clinical Professor/ Partner Schaffer, Schonholz, and Drossman
Patient Advocacy Board
Mary Lynn Hopper-Martin
Advocate - Pediatric Brain Cancer; Making Headway; National Pancreas Foundation Volunteer
Kiki Martin
Social Media Director, Advocate - Pediatric Brain Cancer; Making Headway
Paul Hopper
National Pancreas Foundation supporter and advocate
Chris Martin
Advocate - Pediatric Brain Cancer; Making Headway
Jim Palma
Vice Chairman National Organization Rare Disorders (NORD), Executive Director- Target Cancer; Co-Chair NORD Rare Cancer Coalition
Cally Prutting
Master of Public Health, Master of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
OUR INTERNS
My name is Jenna LaRochelle, and I am from Chelmsford, MA. At Fairfield University, I am studying behavioral neuroscience on the pre-med track, and I also have minors in health studies and Spanish. I have spent the past year working in a behavioral neuroscience research lab at Fairfield, and I also have a research intern position this summer at Mass General Hospital. My research and medical interests include neuropsychiatric disorders, women's health, and oncology.
My name is Jill O’Brien, and I am from Stony Brook, New York. I am a rising Senior at Fairfield University. I am majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience with a minor in Health Studies. I am a researcher in a Behavioral Neuroscience Lab on campus, with a focus on memory. I aspire to attend medical school after graduation.
My name is Anthony Vayda, and I am from Norwalk, CT. I recently graduated from Fairfield University with a BA in Communication and minors in health studies, marketing, and public relations. My work experience consists of digital advertising, marketing research and analysis, stakeholder engagement and outreach, and more. Currently, I am preparing to become a Cardiac Medical Tech Specialist through PrepMD.