VCU news

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley

RICHMOND, Va. (Jan. 3, 2006) -- The Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center today announced a $5 million commitment to its heart center from the Pauley Family Foundation. In recognition of the gift, medical center officials said they will seek authorization from the VCU Board of Visitors to rename it the Pauley Heart Center.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have such generous philanthropists in our community like Stanley and Dorothy Pauley,” said Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., VCU president and president and chair of the VCU Health System. “The Pauley Heart Center will be a very visible and lasting legacy, and I am confident that many people with cardiac disease will benefit from their gift.”

The heart center at the VCU Medical Center is recognized as a national leader in the arena of developing and implementing cardiovascular procedures. The center includes subspecialty areas in acute chest pain management, general and invasive cardiology, heart failure and transplantation, electrophysiology and cardiac surgery.

“This generous gift from the Pauley Family Foundation means so much to the research and educational programs in cardiovascular disease,” said Dr. Sheldon M. Retchin, CEO of the VCU Health System and vice president for VCU Health Sciences.

Stanley Pauley, who was treated at the heart center, said he was impressed with the dedication and care for people shown by the entire staff. 

“They are doing a great job in making a difference in peoples’ lives,” Pauley said. “Their technical prowess is exceptional and the intention of the gift is to extend their capabilities by expanding the staff and providing sufficient assets to keep up with rapidly changing technology needed to treat heart diseases.”

Pauley, chair and CEO of Carpenter Company, is a long-time supporter of Virginia Commonwealth University, serving as trustee of the School of Engineering Foundation and as a member of the VCU Founder’s Society.

“As the Pauley Heart Center, we are among only a handful of named major academic heart centers across the country,” said Dr. George W. Vetrovec, chairman of cardiology at the VCU School of Medicine. “The additional funding will propel forward our mission of excellence in patient care, innovative research and comprehensive education, as well as help us attract exceptional cardiology trainees and faculty. For all of this we are exceedingly grateful and proud.”

The heart center’s Next Generation Campaign has reached $7.75 million with the Pauley Family Foundation’s gift.

“The support we have received is fantastic,” said Jim Sanderlin, campaign chair. “That we are this far along toward our goal of $10 million is a tribute to our supportive community and to the lifesaving services the heart center provides.”