Gheens Foundation gives $1.5 million to Cardiovascular Innovation Institute
January 12th, 2005
The Gheens Foundation has committed $1.5 million to the Cardiovascular Innovation Institute (CII) to support research critical to the development, testing, and clinical trials of new heart assist devices that may provide hope and a better quality of life for desperately ill heart failure patients.
A partnership between the University of Louisville and Jewish Hospital, the institute strives to improve quality of life for heart failure patients by building on the success of Dr. Laman Gray’s work with ventricular assist devices and artificial hearts.
“The Gheens Foundation and its trustees are honored to be a part of the Cardiovascular Innovation Institute,” said Jim Davis, executive director of the foundation. “We see this grant as a natural extension of our commitment to the community.”
The gift of $1.5 million over three years will create the Gheens Foundation Biosensor Research Center at the Cardiovascular Innovation Institute. The center will focus on developing new and improved biomaterials to make existing heart assist devices more compatible with the human body and on biosensor research that may lead to innovative new devices for patients with heart failure.
“This gift provides funding for two key initiatives within the CII,” said James Ramsey, U of L president and immediate past chairman of the CII Board of Directors. “We are grateful that the Gheens Foundation recognizes the potential of this innovative partnership, and their support will jump-start research programs in the critical areas of biosensors and biomaterials.”
“The CII is on a fast track,” said Hank Wagner, president of Jewish Hospital HealthCare Services and chairman of the CII board of directors. “Because of the Gheens Foundation’s vision, we will be better equipped to bring new heart assist devices from the bioengineer’s laboratory to the patient’s bedside as quickly as possible.”
The institute’s program of clinically translational research includes six “centers of competence”: adult and pediatric patients, biomaterials innovation, biosensor innovation, future regeneration proteomics, information management and medical education.
The institute facility, to be located on the U of L Health Sciences Center campus in the Louisville Medical Center, will include an expanded research facility plus training and administrative space equipped with the latest technology. Funding includes a $15 million investment from Jewish Hospital, a $5 million grant from Kosair Charities, $6.8 million from the Office for the New Economy and nearly $6.2 million in federal earmarks secured by Sen. Mitch McConnell.
