As Charles B. Nam, Ph.D, approaches his 100th birthday, on March 25, 2026, his days are filled with curiosity, purpose and connection. He reads and writes daily, meets friends for lunch, stays engaged with Florida State University and remains deeply committed to the institutions that have shaped his life—including Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH), where his generosity has advanced life-saving care.
“I’m not just sitting around and aging,” Dr. Nam said. “I’m enjoying life, staying involved and doing the things that keep me independent.”
Dr. Nam’s life spans a century of service, scholarship and resilience. A World War II combat veteran, he was among the last wave of American military personnel to fight in Germany—an experience that shaped his worldview and deepened his appreciation for health, community and the institutions that sustain both.
A longtime professor of sociology at FSU, Dr. Nam spent more than three decades teaching and researching population health, morbidity and mortality. His academic career was prolific and influential; he authored 12 books on population and demographics and, at age 80, published his first work of fiction, The Golden Door—a historical novel that explores the mysterious deaths of three immigrants arriving in New York in 1893 and a testament to his belief that intellectual curiosity should never wane.
His lifelong focus on population health would later inform one of his many meaningful philanthropic commitments: the Charles B. Nam Endowment for Heart and Vascular Services at TMH. Established more than 20 years ago, the endowment continues to support advanced training, technology and patient care within TMH’s Heart & Vascular Program.
“I’ve always been aware of how important heart and vascular health is,” Dr. Nam said. “Cardiovascular disease accounts for more deaths than almost anything else. It affects families, communities and entire populations.”
That awareness was both professional and deeply personal. In addition to being trained as a sociologist who studied health outcomes, Dr. Nam, like others in his family, experienced heart disease firsthand, undergoing bypass surgery not long after establishing the endowment. His care at TMH—and the expertise of its physicians—reinforced his belief in investing in strong local health systems.
“I’ve had excellent care,” he shared. “TMH has a great staff of doctors. I would rate them a five [out of five] every time.”
Over the years, Dr. Nam has consistently contributed to the endowment, allowing it to grow and adapt to the evolving needs of the Heart & Vascular Program. Most recently, funds from his endowment helped send TMH physicians to the Mayo Clinic for specialized ECMO training—education that now strengthens entire care teams and supports patients whose lives depend on advanced cardiac care.
“We are so thankful for Dr. Nam’s generous support and his dedication to making a difference, not only at TMH, but throughout our community,” said Nigel Allen, President & Chief Advancement Officer of the TMH Foundation. “He has dedicated his life to serving others, and he is a wonderful example of what’s possible at any age!”
For Dr. Nam, philanthropy has always been rooted in gratitude and continuity. From the universities where he earned his degrees, to cultural institutions like the Smithsonian, to TMH, his giving reflects a simple philosophy: support the organizations that supported you.
“I see it as paying back what I received,” he said. “These institutions helped make my life what it has been.”
That mindset remains strong as he enters his second century of life. Dr. Nam describes himself as a “super ager,” focused not just on longevity, but on living well—staying mentally engaged, socially connected and physically independent. He credits his health to excellent medical care, meaningful relationships and an active mind.
“I’m currently reading Chernow’s 1,100-page biography of Mark Twain. I take it a chapter or two at a time, since I’m always reading several books at once,” he said. “What fascinates me most is Twain’s life, and when I finish, I plan to reread his earlier works—books I first read 30 or 40 years ago—to see how differently I understand them now.”
During American Heart Month, Dr. Nam’s story is a powerful reminder that heart health is deeply personal and profoundly communal. Through the Charles B. Nam Endowment for Heart and Vascular Services, his legacy continues to strengthen care at TMH.
As he prepares to celebrate his 100th birthday surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Dr. Nam is quick to note that no one reaches such a milestone alone.
“I’ve had support from all kinds of people and organizations,” he reflected. “Medical, personal, social—those connections make all the difference.”
On his centennial birthday—and during American Heart Month—we celebrate Dr. Nam’s zeal for life and his generosity, which will strengthen heart and vascular care at TMH for generations to come.
Honor a century of giving!
Support the Charles B. Nam Endowment for Heart and Vascular Services at TMH and help continue Dr. Nam’s life-saving legacy. Give today or contact Anne Munson to learn more at 850-431-4048 or Anne.Munson@tmh.org.
