The Bailey-Haslam family has given Cleveland Clinic $30 million to support and expand research in cardiovascular genetics.
The funds will establish the Haslam Family Section for Cardiovascular Genetics at the Sydell and Arnold Miller Heart Vascular and Thoracic Institute on the health system’s Main Campus and provide genetic testing to family members of patients diagnosed with an inherited heart condition.
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They have also created the Haslam Family Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine.
The Clinic announced the donations Monday, Nov. 18, in a news release.
“While heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, it’s essential our research expands to better understand those who may be at risk, guide treatments and develop new therapies,” Clinic president and CEO Dr. Tom Mihaljevic said in a provided statement. “We are grateful to the Bailey-Haslam family for their generous support that is helping push this vital patient care and research forward.”
The gifts come from Jim Haslam, founder of Pilot Corporation, and his wife, Natalie; Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam; former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and his wife, Crissy; and Ann Haslam-Bailey and her husband, Steve. The family made its first donation to the Clinic in 2014.
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Ann Haslam-Bailey described the donations as “deeply personal” to the family as she and her brothers, Jimmy and Bill, lost their mother and grandfather to aortic dissections. She said Clinic doctors saved her life when she had a full aortic dissection 10 years ago.
“We understand the critical role of genetic research in this disease and hope this gift can positively impact other families,” she said in a provided statement.
The Clinic says caregivers in the Haslam Family Section for Cardiovascular Genetics hope to further research and discover new genetic markers in cardiovascular diseases using genetic patient data.
Cardiovascular genetics focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of genetic conditions affecting the cardiovascular system, including cardiomyopathy, heart failure and vascular disease. Genetic testing makes it possible for clinicians to detect inherited heart conditions, allowing for more personalized care plans.
The Haslam Family Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine is held by Dr. Milind Desai. He is also the director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center and medical director of the Aorta Center and vice chair of the Heart Vascular Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic.
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“I am grateful to the Bailey-Haslam family, whose longstanding commitment to giving back will now help save the lives of those who may otherwise not know they are at risk for cardiovascular disease,” Desai said in a provided statement. “It’s estimated around one in 500 people have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common inherited heart condition, which is a lot of people, so it’s vital family members of anyone who has an inherited heart condition be evaluated.”
The Clinic ranked No. 1 in the nation for cardiology, heart and vascular surgery for the thirtieth consecutive year in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-2025 Best Hospitals ranking.
Last fall, Jimmy and Dee Haslam announced a $20 million gift to University Hospitals, the health care provider for the Cleveland Browns, for the new Haslam Sports Innovation Center.
This story first appeared in Crain's Cleveland Business.
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