INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., April 29, 2009 — Community leader and life sciences and healthcare champion Leonard J. Betley has been named to BioCrossroads’ Board of Directors. Betley is currently Chairman and President of both the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Inc. and the Regenstrief Foundation, as well as the Chairman of the Walther Cancer Foundation.

As Fairbanks Foundation chairman, Betley has led efforts to fund a landmark gift of $10 million for the creation of the Fairbanks Institute for Healthy Communities. Additionally, the Foundation has funded Fairbanks Hall — a joint project between Indiana University Schools of Medicine and Nursing and Clarian Health, and one of the largest simulation centers for medical and nursing school students in the country. Key initial grants from the Fairbanks Foundation have also driven the formation of the nationally known health outcomes initiative, Quality Health First, by the Indiana Health Information Exchange.

Under Betley’s leadership, the Regenstrief Foundation, in addition to continuing long term support for the Regenstrief Institute at Indiana University, has funded the establishment of the Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering at Purdue, the only integrated university-wide effort in healthcare engineering in the nation. Betley also was instrumental in establishing the Walther Cancer Institute (now the Walther Cancer Foundation) as a premier medical research organization. Under Betley, the Foundation has given consistently and ecumenically to advance Indiana’s leading cancer research centers at Indiana University, Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame.

“Len’s collaborative efforts across academic, business and philanthropic organizations have resulted in some of the most significant university-based life sciences facilities and programs in the state. His multiple roles and positive influence within the life sciences community and his commitment to improve healthcare will benefit Central Indiana for years to come,” said Dr. August Watanabe, Chairman of the Board of BioCrossroads. “Len’s vision for the future of Indiana’s biosciences sector has contributed greatly to our growth, and his role as a community catalyst makes him a natural fit for our board.”
Betley said, “BioCrossroads has been vital to focusing and building on the many life science strengths of our community. It is an honor to be asked to join the effort.”
Leonard J. Betley joins BioCrossroads Board of Directors

About BioCrossroads
BioCrossroads (www.biocrossroads.com) is Indiana’s initiative to grow, advance and invest in the life sciences, a public-private collaboration that supports the region’s research and corporate strengths while encouraging new business development. BioCrossroads provides money and support to life sciences businesses, launches new life sciences enterprises (Indiana Health Information Exchange, Fairbanks Institute for Healthy Communities, BioCrossroadsLINX, and Datalys Center) expands collaboration and partnerships among Indiana’s life science institutions, promotes science education and markets Indiana’s life sciences industry.