Texas Heart Institute Announces Largest Charitable Donation in Their History
The Texas Heart Institute® (THI) received a $32 million gift through a bequest from a grateful patient who was treated at the Institute nearly forty years ago. The generous contribution is the largest ever received by The Texas Heart Institute and will support cardiovascular research.
The donor, Frederick M. Weissman, M.D., a neurologist from New York, was first treated by world-renowned cardiac surgeon Denton A. Cooley, M.D. in the mid-1980s. Soon after, the two physicians began a lifelong friendship. Dr. Weissman made his first gift of $5,000 in November 1986 and then made another the following month. The gift was accompanied by a letter that read “My conscience compels me to make another contribution to The Texas Heart Institute. I don’t think I could ever repay you for what you and your staff have done for me.”
Decades later, it is now The Texas Heart Institute that is indebted to Dr. Weissman. At the time of his death in 2005, Dr. Weissman left The Texas Heart Institute $500,000. THI recently received the residual of his estate valued at more than $32 million.
“Those of us who were fortunate enough to work with and be trained by Dr. Cooley know he was much more than just an incredibly gifted surgeon. He established lifelong relationships with his patients and encouraged all of us to do the same,” said renowned transplant surgeon and Co-Director of THI’s Center for Preclinical Surgical & Interventional Research, Dr. O.H. “Bud” Frazier. “Dr. Weissman’s extraordinary generosity reflects the impact Dr. Cooley still has on the Institute he founded.”
Dr. Cooley was not only a gifted surgeon but was also known for his innovative research. After establishing The Texas Heart Institute in 1962, he completed the first successful heart transplant in the United States followed by the first implantation of a total artificial heart. Since that time, The Texas Heart Institute has been a leader in the scientific advancement of cardiovascular care through trailblazing research, thought leadership, education, and patient care.
To continue its decades-long mission, THI recently established The Texas Heart Institute Research Innovation Fund. “With the same pioneering spirit on which Dr. Cooley founded The Institute, the Research Innovation Fund will propel the next generation of cardiovascular research by sparking discovery, supporting innovation, and recognizing excellence in high-risk, high-reward scientific exploration,” said Joseph G. Rogers, M.D., President and CEO of The Texas Heart Institute.
Five million dollars of the Weissman bequest has been designated to match philanthropic commitments of $10,000 or greater made to THI’s Research Innovation Fund and its priority initiatives in 2023, allowing donors the opportunity to double the impact of their research investment.
“Dr. Weissman’s incredible generosity enables THI to leverage philanthropic investments in cardiovascular research made today as well as establish and fund future efforts to conquer cardiovascular disease and improve patient care,” said Eric D. Wade, The Texas Heart Institute’s Chairman of the Board.
In addition to the announcement of this life-saving contribution, THI announced that, after a 7-year hiatus, they will be hosting an evening celebration titled “The Supper Club” on September 22, 2023, at The Post Oak Hotel. The event is being chaired by Kelly Kickerillo and Todd Forester along with Mary and Vincent Kickerillo serving as Honorary Chairs and will feature entertainment by Pink Martini. For more information, please contact Julie Voss at events@texasheart.org. or call 832.355.4011.
To learn more about The Texas Heart Institute and the Research Innovation Fund, visit www.texasheart.org/researchinnovation.
About The Texas Heart Institute®
The Texas Heart Institute is an independent, nonprofit organization that is improving cardiovascular health through trailblazing research, thought leadership, education, and patient care. Located within the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas, and founded in 1962 by renowned cardiac surgeon Denton Cooley, MD, The Texas Heart Institute performed the first successful heart transplant and total artificial heart implant in the United States. Since then, our physicians and surgeons remain recognized as worldwide leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of even the most complex cardiovascular conditions. Research programs at The Texas Heart Institute continue to push the boundaries of cardiovascular science by translating laboratory discovery into patient care. The Texas Heart Institute has been ranked among the top cardiovascular centers in the United States by U.S. News & World Report for more than 30 years. www.texasheart.org