Lowry Caudill

Lowry Caudill – UNC Alumni, Board Member of Carolina Research Ventures, Past-Chair of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees and the University’s Innovation Circle and Adjunct Professor with UNC Department of Chemistry

Video Transcript

Michael Washington:
Dr. Caudill, you’ve been a longtime supporter of UNC and a leader in innovation and health. Can you tell us a bit about your personal experience with men’s health?

Lowry Caudill:
Sure. You have to go back about ten years ago — I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It was caught early and appeared to be contained, though moderately aggressive. I’d always been pretty healthy and got my annual physicals, but never really had any major issues until that point.

When I heard the diagnosis, I was 52, and my immediate reaction was, “Wait a minute — I’m too young for this.” But after looking into it, I realized a lot of men are diagnosed in their 40s and 50s. It’s not unusual.

My father passed away at 59, when I was 25. I don’t know if prostate cancer runs in our family, but I do know that it’s something we now watch closely. My son is 28, and he knows that when he reaches 40, he needs to have his PSA checked. Hopefully it’ll never happen to him, but at least he’s aware — he has that heads-up.

Michael Washington:
It sounds like your experience has had an impact on how your family approaches health.

Lowry Caudill:
Absolutely. My son’s very proactive about his health, and my two daughters are the same way. My wife is a pharmacist, so she’s always been attuned to health and wellness. In our family, it’s second nature to get regular checkups and pay attention to what we eat.

But what I’ve learned is that this isn’t typical for everyone. A lot of families — especially men — just don’t go to the doctor. They wait until something’s wrong. And by the time that happens, it can be too late or your options may be limited.

That’s what the UNC Men’s Health Initiative is trying to change — this mindset that men only seek care when there’s a problem. If we can help men think differently about their health — to visit their doctor regularly, to get screened early — then we can change outcomes.

Michael Washington:
You’ve spoken before about UNC’s responsibility as a public university to lead these kinds of efforts.

Lowry Caudill:
That’s right. We’re the state’s university, and we exist to serve all 100 counties in North Carolina. What better way to do that than by promoting better health?

When men stay healthy, families stay strong. In many families, men are still the primary breadwinners. When they can’t work because of illness, that affects the entire household and community. Keeping men healthy isn’t just a personal issue — it’s a community issue.

Michael Washington:
What are some of the key things you think men should do today to protect their health?

Lowry Caudill:
First and foremost — if you smoke, stop. That’s what took my father. He was a three-pack-a-day guy, and that’s just not sustainable.

Second, exercise — even walking makes a big difference. Third, be mindful about what you eat and keep your weight under control. And then, of course, monitor your blood pressure and see your physician regularly.

There’s no magic bullet, but it’s really about mindset — building healthy habits and sticking to them. Small, consistent actions add up.

Michael Washington:
You’ve described this effort as an “and,” not an “or.” What do you mean by that?

Lowry Caudill:
I think that’s really important. Supporting men’s health doesn’t mean we do it instead of focusing on women’s health, children’s health, or cancer care. It’s not an “or” — it’s an “and.”

We have to do all of these things. Promoting men’s health complements all the other incredible work happening at Carolina. It’s about creating a healthier North Carolina for everyone.

Michael Washington:
That’s beautifully said. Thank you for sharing your story, and for everything you continue to do for Carolina and for men’s health.

Lowry Caudill:
You bet. Thank you.

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