Our Purpose
Today, significant opportunities exist for advancing cutting edge research and patient care outcomes in pancreatic medicine.
Our Mission
To advance the awareness and funding of critical research through unique charity outings. Yearly proceeds from our charity events will support two research and program grants awarded at the direction of Dr. Shyam Thakkar and each sponsoring organization, including:
The Anthony Viglione Research Grant
for pancreatic wellness, rehabilitation, and therapy related to acute pancreatitis utilizing endoscopic equipment and procedures.
The National Pancreas Foundation provides hope for those suffering from pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer through funding cutting edge research, advocating for new and better therapies, and providing support and education for patients, caregivers, and health care professionals.
The Nelson R. Peachey Research Grant
for diagnoses and treatment of type 3c diabetes (diabetes that results from a pancreatic condition).
Comprised of 16 hospitals, the West Virginia University Health System is the largest health system and private employer in West Virginia with a mission to improve the health of all patients through excellence in care, research, and education. Its vision is to transform lives and eliminate health disparities through a nationally recognized patient-centered system of care. For more information, visit the WVU medicine website
Mike Zock
Dr. Shyam Thakkar
Our Catalysts
In 2016 Mike Zock faced a life-threatening bout of acute pancreatitis. Only 50 years old, a husband and father of two, and a storied history of brash innovation and entrepreneurship, Mike’s life and hopes for the future were hanging on a very thin line.
After 18-months of high-risk operations and therapies led by the determination, skill, and unwavering excellence of Dr. Shyam Thakkar, Mike not only survived, he is once again living a life well lived. As a tribute to his excellence, Dr. Thakkar was honored Physician of the Year by National Pancreas Foundation in 2019. Mike was honored as Patient of the Year.
Fueled by his gratitude for Dr. Thakker and the generous seed funding from his friends at MKB Company – a Pennsylvania business owned by the Kurtz family of Ohio – Mike created the GI 21ᵀᴹ Foundation with the purpose to support awareness, research and program grants that enable advancements in Pancreatic and Type 3c Diabetes wellness.
An avid fly fisherman, golf enthusiast, and ardent believer in “work hard, play hard”, Mike created two top-notch annual charity events designed to raise funds for research and program grants that support the work of Dr. Thakker and his peers at The National Pancreas Foundation and WVU Medicine.