Thomas D. Pollard, M.D. (NAS '92, NAM '99), Sterling Professor Emeritus of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the Yale School of Medicine, and his wife, Patty, have been philanthropic supporters of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for 25 years. Dr. Pollard has had a long association with the NAS and has participated in many of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s important activities dating back to the late 80s when he was involved with the National Research Council’s report on Cell Biology. Dr. Pollard is a dual member of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine.

Throughout the years, Dr. Pollard has supplemented his professional service to the National Academies with contributions to the NAS and NAM annual funds and the Committee on Human Rights. Dr. Pollard's extensive involvement in NAS activities and his time as founding chair of the NAS Council Committee on Development influenced his family to revise their estate plans to include a generous $100,000 gift to the NAS in 2023.

"We hope everyone aspires to leave behind something that will make the world a better place. The NAS has an unparalleled record of helping our nation and the world make wise decisions to ensure our planet will be safe for those who follow us. We hope many will join us in making the NAS a beneficiary in their estate plans." – Thomas D. Pollard, M.D. (NAS '92, NAM '99)

Dr. Pollard is a proud member of the Elkan Blout, National Academy of Medicine, Loyalty, and Heritage Giving Societies, and currently serves as chair of the Heritage Society (2024-2026) for the NAS. The Heritage Society, which includes over 150 donors across the three Academies, recognizes members and friends who have included the National Academies in their estate plans or made some other type of planned gift to the institutions. As chair, Dr. Pollard engages with his fellow members and colleagues and shares how planned gifts, such as retirement plan beneficiary designation gifts, help provide the NAS with the resources needed to lead with sound advice and an authoritative voice on scientific and technical matters that impact humanity.

In a time when challenges like science denial, climate change, and global health crises continue to impact communities worldwide, Dr. Pollard remains optimistic that the combination of unparalleled expertise and the generous philanthropic spirit of National Academies’ members and friends allows the organizations to stay responsive and develop evidence-based solutions that will benefit humankind for years to come.