Empowered by Generosity

Dear Friends,

As you have seen in this exciting edition of PULSE, 2023 is already a year of significant accomplishments at UVA Health. Our donors have shown that philanthropy has the power to drive our research, clinical care, and discoveries to new heights. An example is the recently announced Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology. This venture—an extraordinary collaboration among the Manning family, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the University—will position UVA as a national leader in advancing research in cellular and gene therapies, nanotechnology, and targeted drug delivery. Furthermore, thanks to the generous support and vision of early donors and a new partnership with Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, we are set to launch the new UVA Children’s Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Care Riverside clinic—the only outpatient clinic of its kind in Virginia.

This edition of PULSE contains many more examples of groundbreaking discoveries, innovative treatments, and compassionate clinical care our partners and supporters made possible. For individuals and families facing challenging neurological disorders, our cover story on the pioneering work of Dr. Harald Sontheimer, Harrison Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Neuroscience, offers hope for the promise of research. Dr. Sontheimer’s studies of neurological diseases are generating transformational knowledge that may lead to new treatments for devastating conditions such as epilepsy, brain tumors, stroke, and Alzheimer’s. Our feature on Precision Public Health spotlights UVA Health’s pioneering work in personalized medicine and how it will address health equity issues to improve outcomes in cancer, diabetes, heart disease and many other conditions.

I want to express my deepest thanks to Mike Miller, the outgoing UVA Health Foundation Board chair. Mike has given so much of his time, energy, and support to UVA Health and helped launch our campaign with the inspiring story of the lifesaving care his son Matt received at UVA Health. Through the COVID pandemic, his leadership and partnership have been invaluable to our development team. Mike is retiring from the Health Foundation Board as the campaign gains momentum to surpass $700 million and as our trustees activate the new UVA Health Strategic Plan through philanthropic support.

I offer my sincerest gratitude to all of you on behalf of UVA Health. We are inspired by your dedication and grateful for your generosity, which is giving hope to our patients and families near and far. Thank you!

All the best,

Amy S. Karr
Executive Director, UVA Health Foundation, and Senior Associate Vice President, UVA Health Development