Our History

The James E. Newby Jr. MD Foundation (Newby Foundation) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and funding of research aimed at cardiac disease and related chronic illnesses and to provide assistance to the citizens of Virginia who are in need, regardless of race, color or national origin.

This organization was formed by Dr. Keith H. Newby, a local Cardiologist who has been in practice for many years in Hampton Roads. It was created to actively fill the void in cardiac disease and chronic related illness awareness, knowledge and solutions in the communities of Virginia. Methods by which this will be accomplished include:

• Promoting innovative thinking, new technology and increased collaboration
• Raising funds for education and research specifically targeting heart disease and chronic related diseases
• Sharing state of the art information and educational tools with scientists, doctors, patients, advocates, and donors
• Building partnerships to help patients and survivors live longer, fuller lives

This foundation was created in memory of his late father, Dr. James E. Newby, Jr., a well known Hampton Roads internist, who died at the tender young age of 41 of a primary cardiac tumor. He served as chief of Medicine at Norfolk Community Hospital and was the first African-American board certified Internist to obtain privileges and Norfolk General Hospital. He was also the first black appointed as a member of the Norfolk City Planning Commission. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity as well as many other social and community activist groups thereby maintaining a strong sense of community which he passed on to his children.