December 23, 1998

INDIANAPOLIS LEADERS CORNELIUS AND YVONNE PETTINGA FUND A "CHAIR" IN AGING RESEARCH AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY

INDIANAPOLIS --- A gift from Dr. and Mrs. Cornelius W. Pettinga of Indianapolis will establish the first endowed faculty position at the Indiana University Center for Aging Research. The Pettingas established the chair to ensure ongoing support for program development and innovative research in aging at Indiana University. The endowment will be combined with matching funds from IU.

The recipient of this endowed chair is Christopher Callahan, M.D., associate professor of medicine and director of the research center. The center is headquartered in the Regenstrief Institute for Health Care at the IU Medical Center.

"There is no question that making a gift to the school means making a long-term, positive impact on the future of medicine," said Dr. Pettinga. "We knew there really wasn't any better way we could help a top investigator like Dr. Callahan move ahead with important research. This is our way of showing support for continued research in aging."

Dr. Callahan graduated from St. Louis University School of Medicine and completed his internal medicine residency at Baylor College of Medicine. He completed a fellowship in health services research at the IU School of Medicine. He has received a Career Leadership Award from the National Institute on Aging and a Paul B. Beeson Physician Faculty Scholar in Aging Research Award from the American Federation of Aging Research. In addition to serving as the director of the Center for Aging Research, Dr. Callahan is a research scientist in the Regenstrief Institute for Health Care. His interests include the recognition and treatment of late life depression and dementia.

"We are most grateful to Dr. and Mrs. Pettinga for understanding the great need there is for future research on aging," said Dr. Callahan. "Their support will help us create a more integrated and balanced program of aging research at Indiana University."

Dr. Callahan envisions his program providing a better understanding of how to translate basic discoveries into real changes in health behavior among older adults. He believes that the center can become a national model for conducting research that improves the care of older adults.

"Cornelius and Yvonne Pettinga have, without a doubt, made a significant impact on the future of research in aging," said Robert W. Holden, M.D., dean of the IU School of Medicine. "Their support, combined with Dr. Callahan's inspiring work in geriatric medicine, will make a difference to the quality of life of our older adults. We cannot show enough appreciation for what the Pettingas have done for the school and for research."

Prior to his retirement from Eli Lilly & Company in 1986, Dr. Pettinga was the executive vice president responsible for Lilly Research Laboratories, development and control, and manufacturing operations, including both biochemical and pharmaceuticals manufacturing. In addition, he was responsible for engineering and computer technology. He also served as president of Elizabeth Arden.

Dr. Pettinga has served as the chairman of the Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Board of Advisors and chaired the Heart Initiative Committee during the capital campaign at the School of Medicine. Both Dr. and Mrs. Pettinga have served in professional and volunteer leadership capacities for educational institutions, medical organizations and the arts.

Contact: Pamela Perry
(AC) 317-274-7722
pperry@iupui.edu

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