Parker B. Francis Fellowship Program - Learn About the Program

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HISTORY

Parker B. Francis, founder of the Puritan-Bennett Company, established a foundation bearing his name in 1951. Since Puritan-Bennett was a leading manufacturer of respiratory equipment and medical gases, the primary emphasis of the Foundation was related to pulmonary research. His son, Parker B. Francis III, also established a foundation to fund his interests in education, arts and culture in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.

By 1989, the two foundations merged to become The Francis Families Foundation.

Continuing its interest in pulmonary science, the Foundation remains the sole benefactor of the Parker B. Francis Fellowship Program, a national postdoctoral study in pulmonary research inaugurated in 1975. The program supports the development of outstanding investigators planning careers in pulmonary research and awards fellowships in fields related to lung biology pulmonary disease.

The first grants for pulmonary research were awarded in 1976. Since then, the Francis Families Foundation has contributed more than $40 million to the Parker B. Francis Fellowship Program in support of more than 700 fellows. A survey of former fellows revealed that more than 90 percent of respondents are currently employed in universities and teaching hospitals, and still spend a significant portion of their time on research.

John B. Francis served as president of the Foundation until 1998. Mr. Francis was the honorary Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors until his death in 2004. His wife, Mary Harris Francis, continued to serve on the Board as honorary Vice Chair until her death in 2005. Three of their four children – Ann F. Barhoum, David V. Francis and J. Scott Francis – in addition to pursuing their own philanthropic interests, are active members of the Board. Ann F. Barhoum and David V. Francis currently serve as Chair and Vice Chair through 2008.