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SearchThe donations establish the Haslam Family Section for Cardiovascular Genetics, which will provide testing for family members of patients diagnosed with an inherited heart condition
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Back row from left: Dr. Tom Mihaljevic, Jimmy and Dee Haslam, Dr. Rajul Desai, Whitfield Bailey, Steve and Ann Haslam Bailey, Whitney Haslam Johnson. Front row from left: Jim Haslam, Dr. Milind Desai, Natalie Haslam.
Cleveland Clinic has received gifts of $30 million from the Bailey-Haslam family to support and expand cardiovascular genetics research by establishing the Haslam Family Section for Cardiovascular Genetics at the Sydell and Arnold Miller Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute. The funds will also help provide genetic testing for family members of any patient at Cleveland Clinic diagnosed with an inherited heart condition. In addition, the gifts have established the Haslam Family Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine.
“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,” said Tom Mihaljevic, M.D., Cleveland Clinic CEO and President, and holder of the Morton L. Mandel CEO Chair. “We are grateful to the Bailey-Haslam family for their generous support that is helping push this vital patient care and research forward.”
The donations have been given by Natalie and Jim Haslam; Dee and Jimmy Haslam; Crissy and Bill Haslam; and Ann Haslam-Bailey and her husband Steve Bailey. The family first donated to Cleveland Clinic in 2014.
“The doctors at Cleveland Clinic saved my life 10 years ago when I had a full aortic dissection,” said Ann Haslam-Bailey. “I am incredibly blessed to have had doctors with such expertise and have had the empathetic and world class care of countless nurses and doctors.This donation is deeply personal for our family, having lost our mother when she was just 42 and our grandfather at 31 to aortic dissections. We understand the critical role of genetic research in this disease and hope this gift can positively impact other families.”
Cardiovascular genetics focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of genetic disorders affecting the cardiovascular system. This includes inherited conditions such as arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and vascular disease. Genetic testing for patients with inherited heart conditions allows for early detection and intervention and allows physicians to create a personalized care path for patients. Caregivers within the newly established Haslam Family Section for Cardiovascular Genetics will utilize the genetic patient data to work toward discovering new genetic markers in cardiovascular diseases and accelerate research by enrolling more patients in studies, utilizing the largest cardiovascular dataset in healthcare.
The Haslam Family Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine is currently held by Milind Desai, M.D., M.B.A.“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,” said Dr. Desai, director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center at Cleveland Clinic and medical director of the Aorta Center and Vice Chair, Heart Vascular Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic. “It’s estimated around 1 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.”
For 30 years, U.S. News & World Report has recognized Cleveland Clinic as the country’s No.1 hospital for heart care in the magazine’s 2024-2025 Best Hospitals rankings. Cleveland Clinic has treated millions of patients for heart and vascular conditions. Patients travel from all 50 states and 138 countries to Cleveland Clinic’s Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute for expert care and exceptional outcomes.
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 81,000 employees worldwide are more than 5,743 salaried physicians and researchers, and 20,160 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,690-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 276 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2023, there were 13.7 million outpatient encounters, 323,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 301,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 132 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
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