Tachi and Leslie Yamada’s $10 million donation five years ago helped launch the University of Michigan’s Center for Global Health Equity.
Earlier this year, Leslie Yamada and her family donated an additional $10 million to the center, a portion of which has been used to name the directorship of the center after her and her late husband.
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The Leslie D. Yamada and Tachi Yamada M.D. Director of the Center for Global Health Equity honors the role that the couple has played in launching and developing the interdisciplinary center for scholarship, collaboration and impact in global health equity.
Joseph C. Kolars, the center’s director and founder when it launched in 2021, holds the title, as will his successors going forward.
“The establishment of the Leslie D. Yamada and Tachi Yamada M.D. Directorship significantly strengthens our commitment to global health and interdisciplinary engagement for impact in low-resource settings,” said Provost Laurie McCauley.
“This prestigious position will empower us to further our mission of creating sustainable health solutions. We are immensely grateful to the Yamada family for their extraordinary support and vision.”
The Board of Regents approved the directorship naming earlier this year.
“This named directorship is not only a monumental gift to the U-M community, but also a tremendous leap forward in our collective efforts to address global health disparities,” said Marshall Runge, chief executive officer of Michigan Medicine and dean of the Medical School.
“The Yamada family’s contribution magnifies the impact we can have on health systems and communities worldwide. We look forward to the continued advancements and collaborations that will emerge from this esteemed position.”
The contributions underscore the family’s commitment to transformative global health initiatives, aligning with the center’s core mission to prevent disease and improve health outcomes through equitable and sustainable practices.
The Center for Global Health Equity is driven by a vision of communities where all individuals can achieve optimal mental and physical health, irrespective of geographical and socioeconomic barriers.
“Our ambition is to foster collaborative partnerships across U-M and with global entities to create impactful health solutions,” Kolars said. “This named directorship is a testament to the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in tackling complex health challenges.”
The Yamada family’s engagement with U-M began in 1983 when Tachi Yamada joined the Medical School as chief of gastroenterology, later chairing the Department of Internal Medicine.
Tachi Yamada’s career spanned leadership roles in the pharmaceutical industry and pivotal work in global health through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. His ethos of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation deeply informs the center’s mission. He died in 2021 at age 76.
Leslie Yamada, an alumna of New York University and an advocate for community service and the arts, continues to embody the spirit of meaningful, community-driven change through her board roles and philanthropic efforts.
“The Leslie D. Yamada and Tachi Yamada M.D. Director will be instrumental in advancing our center’s mission, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and spearheading initiatives with tangible global health impacts,” said Akbar Waljee, assistant dean for global health research at Michigan Medicine. “This directorship honors the Yamadas’ visionary contributions and their emphasis on low resource settings around the world.”
Under the aegis of this newly named directorship, the Center for Global Health Equity is poised to accelerate its mission across multiple communities, leveraging academic excellence and global partnerships to improve health outcomes and create a healthier, more equitable world.
“The Yamadas’ visionary support to the center allows us to expand our reach and enhance the impact of our interdisciplinary endeavors,” said Matthew Boulton, senior associate dean for global public health at the School of Public Health and associate director of the center. “This directorship will further empower us to foster new collaborations with global partners and communities in operable and innovative ways.”
