$30 million Sealy gift launches heart & vascular institute

The University of Texas Medical Branch has launched the Sealy Heart & Vascular Institute and a new Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, powered by a $30 million gift from the Sealy & Smith Foundation.

The Institute will expand advanced cardiac care, research, and education, with services ranging from interventional cardiology and heart failure to imaging, arrhythmia management, and transplantation. UTMB will contribute an additional $15 million, bringing the initial investment to $45 million.

Renowned interventional cardiologist Dr. Hani Jneid was named inaugural chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, director of the Institute, and UTMB’s vice president of cardiovascular operations.

Since 2022, Jneid has doubled UTMB’s cardiovascular team, expanded fellowships, and boosted national rankings. He said the new initiatives will establish UTMB as a “nationally recognized cardiovascular center of excellence.”

The Sealy & Smith Foundation, whose leadership includes John Kelso, Mike Doherty, Douglas G. Rogers, Keith Bassett, Bill Sealy, Jere Peterson, and Jim Galbraith, has contributed more than $1 billion to UTMB and regional healthcare infrastructure.