Impact of Giving

Francis Williams Preston Lab

The T.J. Martell Foundation became an important partner to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in 1993, when the Martell Foundation established the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories. These “laboratories without walls” were created in honor of Frances Preston — the late music industry icon and former president of the Martell Foundation's board — and served as an important cornerstone in the creation of the then-new Vanderbilt Cancer Center.

Since that time, this marriage of music and medicine has led to important discoveries in the fight against cancer and built an important foundation for even greater advances in the years ahead. We have remained true to our commitment to deploy the resources provided by the Martell Foundation in ways that will have the greatest impact. We’re exploring the most innovative frontiers of cancer research, from nascent research in genetic approaches in the labs’ early days to our current focus on proteomics and early detection and prevention.

Amy Baker Lab

Amy Baker was a media executive, entrepreneur, and advocate whose famously open arms (and open door) made her home a nexus point connecting thought leaders from across the worlds of media, politics, and philanthropy. She was a dedicated supporter of breast cancer research at Vanderbilt Health, along with her family.

She showed an early interest in media, anchoring the local cable television system when she was only a high school student. She graduated from American University, where she studied communications and played on the tennis team. While in college, she began her 20-year career with NBC in Washington D.C., before eventually relocating to Los Angeles, where she held various management positions, including Director of Program Production and Preparation.

In 1994, she married the love of her life, Barry Baker. As much as Amy relished her success in the media industry, her favorite job was raising her three children — Brandace, Bryce, and Lane — with whom she moved and made her home in Park City, Utah.

Community was of paramount importance to Amy, as demonstrated by her sustained involvement and recognition. She served on numerous boards dedicated to the arts, health, and education throughout her life, including at Temple Har Shalom, Image Reborn, and Rowland Hall, in the local area. Amy co-owned and built Jupiter Bowl, envisioning bringing families and friends of all ages together. Over the years, she opened her home to thousands of Utah residents to engage with powerbrokers and cultural influencers from across the worlds of politics and entertainment.

Three awards commemorate her generosity. First, Amy received the Temple Har Shalom Habonim Award in recognition of her continued devotion and contribution as a community builder. Second, she was the recipient of the first Image Reborn Celebration of Life Award. Lastly, Amy’s generosity and service inspired the People’s Health Clinic to create the Amy Baker Lifetime of Giving Award to forever commemorate people who emulate her purpose. While battling cancer for 16 years, she continued to find a friend in everyone she met. Amy lived her life intending to make the world a better place for her having been in it, and she did so with unending grace.