Bernard Tyson’s profound impact continues even after his death—through a new social investment fund

Bernard Tyson, the celebrated former CEO of Kaiser Permanente who passed this past November, was one of the most influential health care leaders of his generation. His sudden death, at the age of 60, left many with the sense that his important crusade—championing the central value of social determinants in human health—would stop as well. Happily, it won’t. Thanks to a new, substantially funded initiative led by his widow, Denise Bradley-Tyson, and the American Heart Association, Bernard Tyson’s work and message have been given an afterlife.

This morning, Bradley-Tyson and the AHA are announcing 10 new investments by the Bernard J. Tyson Impact Fund that build on the kind of community-strengthening ideas and programs that Tyson promoted as Kaiser Permanente’s CEO. And these investments have some real financial muscle, thanks to a few well-heeled and influential donors who supported Tyson’s efforts when he was alive. Lynne and Marc Benioff have given $1 million to help anchor the fund, as has the foundation of New York philanthropists Elizabeth Elting and Michael Burlant. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has also made a significant donation, though the amount has not been disclosed.