Whether in a hospital or a classroom, these doctors have always been driven by a shared passion for public health, medical research and practice, and mentorship. So when Bradley Boekeloo, Ph.D., retired from a distinguished career at UMD’s School of Public Health (SPH), he and his partner Stanley Drake, M.D., made another big commitment together: they established at SPH the Bradley O. Boekeloo, Ph.D. and Stanley D. Drake, M.D. Meritorious Research Application Endowed Faculty Award
In research, rejection is often part of the process, but it should never be a barrier to progress.
The Boekeloo-Drake Award will recognize faculty members in the Department of Behavioral and Community Health (BCH) who submit highly competitive yet unawarded National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant proposals, ensuring that such innovative research does not fall by the wayside. They both know well the time, effort, brainpower and often sacrifice that goes into proposals that then receive little or no reward. Boekeloo and Drake hope this new award will foster a culture of innovative research and recognition from peers.
“In research, rejection is often part of the process, but it should never be a barrier to progress,” said Boekeloo. “Stan and I believe in supporting faculty who are committed to advancing public health but may face hurdles in securing funding. This award ensures that their hard work and dedication are recognized and encouraged.”
This endowment – their first major gift to the University of Maryland – marks a new chapter for Boekeloo and Drake in their tireless pursuit to give back. It also comes at a pivotal moment for SPH as the school seeks to expand its funding base for groundbreaking research.
Boekeloo served on SPH faculty for almost three decades before retiring in early 2025. And in a partnership of four decades, Boekeloo and Drake have supported one another in serving the public, championing the rights of sexual minorities, engaging as leaders in their communities and mentoring dozens of students, faculty members and friends along the way. Such lifelong commitments demonstrate that impactful research and healthcare advancements require scientific rigor, unwavering persistence and a deep care for others.
In 2007, Boekeloo played a key role in the establishment of UMD’s School of Public Health. A dedicated researcher and educator, he has devoted over 30 years to investigating HIV prevention and health disparities in vulnerable populations. As founding director of UMD’s Prevention Research Center (UMD-PRC), Boekeloo helped inform national discussions around public health challenges, particularly those affecting marginalized communities.
Drake, a board-certified gastroenterologist and transplant hepatologist, spent over three decades caring for patients at Kaiser Permanente and later at the Arlington Free Clinic. He has been a steadfast advocate for healthcare access and quality, volunteering his expertise to underserved populations.
Boekeloo and Drake stand as an inspirational testament to perseverance—to pushing forward in the face of obstacles, mentoring those who follow, and ensuring that the brightest minds in public health have the resources they need to succeed. This new endowment will pave the way for future public health faculty and researchers at UMD to transform bold ideas into real-world impact.
– Stuti Mohanty