CPMC Foundation Dagmar Dolby and Family

^{“CPMC's Ray Dolby Brain Health Center combines compassionate care with the latest advances in Alzheimer’s research. This forward-thinking model integrates the science and the art of caring with innovation, which is why we wanted Ray’s name associated with the center.”
--Dagmar Dolby}

The Ray Dolby Brain Health Center, launched with a major philanthropic investment from Dagmar Dolby and family, is one of the only programs of its kind in the U.S, providing comprehensive, family-centered care for patients with cognitive impairment. Thanks to the Dolby’s visionary philanthropic investment, the center offers families support through case management, social work services, on-site Alzheimer’s Association assistance and individual, family and group psychotherapy.

“As we raised our family in San Francisco, we used CPMC for everyday care, like blood tests and x-rays. But when Ray was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, his care team at CPMC helped our entire family get over the threshold of this terrible diagnosis. They took exceptional care not only of Ray, but of us as a family, too. Because with Alzheimer’s, there’s no going back, so you have to learn how to cope—you have to learn to keep living.

“That’s why we made our philanthropic investment to start the Ray Dolby Brain Health Center at CPMC, because we wanted there to be a path to manage the disease rather than to be left alone with it. And now the center is conducting research to develop new treatments that will help patients and their loved ones better manage this difficult disease, so we’re excited to see what the future holds.”

You have been our family’s rock.

-Family member of Alzheimer’s patient at CPMC’s Ray Dolby Brain Health Center

• Thanks to a visionary philanthropic investment, the Ray Dolby Brain Health Center (RDBHC) added several new staff members including Alejandra Sanchez-Lopez, who is bilingual and dual-trained in geriatrics and cognitive neurology. The same philanthropic funding also allowed for the hiring of two neuropsychologists who help the center’s physicians diagnose brain disorders, assess cognitive and behavioral functions, and design treatment plans.

• The Ray Dolby Brain Health Center has initiated clinical trials for its patients that are studying multiple stages of Alzheimer’s disease, from pre-symptomatic prevention to early-stage and late-stage disease. To manage the growing number of studies, philanthropic funding enabled the hiring of a new clinical research associate.
• Due to an aging population, the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease is predicted to increase nearly 50% by the year 2030. In response, CPMC’s Ray Dolby Brain Health Center will continue to expand its services by growing the care team, launching additional clinical trials, and enlarging its physical space.

What families are saying about the RDBHC

• “This is still all new to us, very new! We left your office feeling very positive and we thank you for that gift.”
• “I am very grateful for the care, energy, compassion, empathy and patience you put into your work each day.”
• “We were anxious in our first visit to the Brain Health Center, not knowing what to expect and almost fearing what we might hear. We heard kindness, caring, and professional knowledge and guidance.”