In Memoriam

Dollar Tree co-founder Macon F. Brock, who died Dec. 9, 2017, helped transform community service at EVMS.

In 2012, Mr. Brock and his wife, Joan Brock, made a $3 million gift to establish the M. Foscue Brock Institute for Community and Global Health at EVMS. The donation was one of the largest individual gifts ever made to EVMS.

“Macon Brock was overwhelmingly giving in so many ways,” says Cynthia Romero, MD, Director of the Brock Institute. “Whenever he made a philanthropic gift, he also gave generously of his time and talent by becoming involved with the organization. At the Brock Institute, we were extremely fortunate to benefit from his wise counsel and guidance.”

The Brock Institute has become the focal point for integrating clinical, educational and research programs, enabling EVMS to take a major step toward its vision of being the most community-oriented school of medicine and health professions in the nation. Named in honor of Mr. Brock’s father, a physician who was dedicated to community service in Hampton Roads, the institute has allowed the school’s community-oriented programs to expand and deepen their impact on both local and global health issues.

EVMS is one of numerous Virginia organizations to benefit from the Brocks’ generosity. Others include Access College Foundation, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, The Chrysler Museum of Art, Longwood University, Old Dominion University, Randolph-Macon College and Virginia Wesleyan University.

In 2015, the Association of Fundraising Professionals honored the Brocks with its Outstanding Philanthropist Award. AFP’s Hampton Roads chapter and EVMS nominated the couple for the national award. Past recipients include H. Ross Perot, James Michener, Jeff Skoll, Hallmark Cards, Bank of America, Johnson & Johnson and the Kresge Foundation.

“Macon Brock was one of the most generous, courageous, gracious, humble and brilliant community and business leaders this region has known,” says Richard Homan, MD, President and Provost of EVMS and Dean of the School of Medicine.

“Mr. Brock was also the consummate gentleman and statesman in the finest tradition of Virginia,” Dr. Homan says. “We at EVMS will be eternally grateful to Macon and Joan Brock for supporting the establishment of the Brock Institute, which has advanced our vision to become the most community-oriented school of medicine and health professions in the nation.”