The Leonard Wood Memorial

The Memorial is named in memory of Major General Leonard Wood, a physician, former Army Chief of Staff and Governor General of the Philippines from 1921 until his death in 1927. He was greatly concerned about leprosy, one of the major public health problems in the Islands. Leonard Wood was instrumental in raising a substantial amount of money for research, treatment and the construction of hospital facilities to deal with the problems of leprosy patients. In 1928 the charitable organization he founded was renamed the Leonard Wood Memorial for the Eradication of Leprosy and chartered in New York as a non-profit, scientific & educational organization. In 1941, the name American Leprosy Foundation was added.

The purpose of the Memorial is to conduct, maintain and support laboratory investigations, clinical studies and related research with the goal of eradicating the disease.

The Memorial has administrative offices in the United States, and maintains a Leprosy Research Center in Cebu, Philippines. A volunteer Board of Trustees and a Scientific Advisory Board provide guidance and support for administrative and scientific matters.

The Memorial, now celebrating 72 years of successful operation, plays a major role in leprosy research. It is foremost among American agencies in this field, and we are proud of the many achievements and contributions made by our dedicated staff.

 

[ALF Home]
ALF Home


American Leprosy Foundation
Webmaster:
Marisa Stoolmiller
Page updated: 01/13/2000