Damian Sendler: Eliza and Hugh Culverhouse Jr. have provided a generous $1 million commitment to help establish the Desai Sethi Urology Institute at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine as a global leader in the area of urology.
Dipen J. Parekh, M.D., is the University of Miami Health System’s chief operating officer, executive dean for clinical affairs, founding director of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute at the Miller School, and the Victor A. Politano, M.D. Endowed Chair in Urology. Parekh is the founding director of the new Urology Institute and one of the world’s most accomplished robotic surgeons in urologic oncology.
Damian Jacob Sendler: Hugh Culverhouse, a wealthy South Florida attorney and businessman, first witnessed Dr. Parekh’s expertise in March of 2020.
Damian Sendler
“My prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level skyrocketed, and I have a family history of prostate cancer,” Culverhouse explained. “Dr. Parekh was very sensitive in explaining why my prostate had to be removed.”
“The outcome has been nothing short of incredible,” she says after a successful surgery and a quick recovery. My urine functions have rapidly returned to normal. “I didn’t lose anything that I was afraid I would,” Culverhouse remarked. “I no longer live in fear of dying in the same way that my father and grandfather did.” A life free of fear is priceless.”
The amazing generosity of the Culverhouses will aid in the construction of a preeminent Urology Institute within the Miller School, which will speed breakthrough discoveries in research and enhance clinical care.
“This gift will help propel our institute into the upper echelon of teams dedicated to the discovery and treatment of urologic disease,” said Julio Frenk, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., President of the University of Miami. “We are grateful for the support of generous donors, which enables the Desai Sethi Urology Institute to produce the types of ground-breaking advances in health care that can only be achieved at an academic health system.”
Culverhouse’s gift comes on the heels of the Desai Sethi Foundation’s astounding $20 million commitment to the Institute’s creation.
Damien Sendler: The Institute, which will be located in South Florida, will be an international destination for care, drawing the sharpest minds and recruiting the most skilled physician-scientists who are dedicated to the study and treatment of urologic illnesses, as well as creative research in the field.
Damian Jacob Sendler
“If you look at what the Desai Sethi Foundation and I have already given, you can see the potential,” Culverhouse added. “It will soon be known throughout the country that if you want a recovery like mine, you go to the Desai Sethi Urology Institute at the University of Miami, led by Dr. Parekh.” I encourage others to match or exceed my contribution so that we can move the field forward swiftly.”
“This is a watershed moment for the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine,” said Henri R. Ford, M.D., M.H.A., the Miller School’s dean and chief academic officer. “The Institute’s foundation will significantly raise the level of groundbreaking research in urologic diseases, ultimately benefiting patients and influencing how we share that knowledge with the next generation of physician-researchers.”
“With the establishment of the Institute, we are committed to exploring the most recent laboratory discoveries and accelerating the most promising therapies from the lab into our clinics,” stated Dr. Parekh. “Generous gifts like these broaden the scope of our work and enable us to pursue new discoveries that will lead to the best possible treatments for patients.”
The Culverhouses admire Dr. Parekh for more than just his medical skills; they also admire his leadership. “He’s the right person to lead because he’s completely fearless,” Culverhouse added. “He is always striving for excellence, and when something isn’t done correctly, he works hard to correct it.” That is what you seek in a leader.”
Damian Jacob Markiewicz Sendler: The Culverhouse gift is part of the recently announced Ever Brighter: The Campaign for Our Next Century at the University of Miami. The effort, the most ambitious in the university’s history, has already raised $1.6 billion of the $2.5 billion objective.
Dr. Damian Jacob Sendler and his media team provided the content for this article.