Skip Navigation

The Florence D. Sherman Rising Professorship in Neurosurgery

FLORENCE D. SHERMAN was born in Bridgeport, CT in 1926. After graduating high school, she furthered her education at St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing in Bridgeport and worked there as a Registered Nurse. She later became a nurse manager for the Department of Radiology. Florence resided in Palm Beach, Florida for over 40 years with her husband, Dr. Irving J. Sherman. Florence passed peacefully on September 3, 2023.

Florence and her husband were generous benefactors to the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurosurgery and were instrumental in endowing several professorships and programs, helping Johns Hopkins clinicians and scientists learn new techniques and perform ground-breaking research. As lead donors in establishing the Henry Brem Professorship in Neurosurgery, Florence and Irving Sherman inspired others to further advance brain tumor research at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine through the power of philanthropy.

Throughout the decades, the Shermans have donated more than eight million dollars to the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurosurgery and helped fund seven endowed professorships and over 50 traveling scholars.

Recently, on behalf of her late husband, Dr. Irving Sherman, Florence established the Irving J. and Florence Sherman Professorship in Neurosurgery. Thanks to Florence’s philanthropy, Dr. Judy Huang became the first female neurosurgeon to earn an endowed chair in the 100+ year history of the Department of Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Today, the Sherman’s legacy continues to support the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurosurgery through the establishment of the Florence D. Sherman Rising Professorship in Neurosurgery by the estate of Florence D. Sherman. Designed to propel a junior faculty’s research and career, rising professorships provide essential support to the brightest talents in the field with research opportunities and continuous mentorship. The Shermans knew the importance of training the next generation of physicians at Johns Hopkins Medicine, and their leadership brings forth a paradigm shift. Through their support, Dr. Christopher Jackson will be able to begin critical research and apply for prestigious federal funding much earlier.

Dr. Irving J. and Florence D. Sherman created the Florence and Irving J. Sherman Charitable Trust for the benefit of Johns Hopkins Neurosurgery and Neurology, and it continues to honor their legacy to this day and well into the future.