Impact Emboldening the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine in its
and Brett Sundheim committed $5 million to an innovation and
quest to position itself as a global leader in the field of urology,
technology fund.
the Desai Sethi Family Foundation made an extraordinary
“The Desai Sethi Family Foundation’s generosity propels the
commitment of $20 million to the Miller School’s renowned
University into the upper echelon of institutes dedicated to the
Department of Urology.
discovery and treatment of urologic disease—not just in South Florida,
The Foundation’s generosity helped to establish the Desai
but worldwide,” said University President Julio Frenk. “We are grateful
Sethi Urology Institute, which was dedicated, along with the Desai
for their commitment, and for the generosity of the Culverhouses,
Sethi Medical Center, in February 2022 on the University’s medical
Taylors, and Sundheims, in supporting the types of advances in health
campus, near downtown Miami.
care that are only possible at an academic health system.”
The Desai Sethi Urology Institute will attract the brightest
“We are dedicated to exploring the latest discoveries in the
minds and recruit the most talented physician-scientists dedicated
laboratory and accelerating the most promising therapies from the
to the study and treatment of urologic disorders and to accelerate
lab into our clinics for the best possible treatment for patients,”
breakthrough advances in research. The Institute will also expand
said Parekh. “These generous gifts will transform our ability to
clinical care and train future generations of urologists.
expand the scope and influence of our work, creating a thriving
The institute’s founding director is Dr. Dipen J. Parekh, the chief operating officer and director of robotic surgery at the University of Miami Health System, professor and chair of the
environment for new discoveries in the field that will benefit patients here in South Florida and worldwide.” The Desai Sethi Urology Institute is conducting research
Department of Urology, executive dean for clinical affairs, the Dr.
that is advancing the science of urology, publishing seminal work
Victor Politano Endowed Chair in Clinical Urology at the Miller
on the efficacy of robotic surgery, urologic cancers, men’s health,
School, and one of the world’s most experienced robotic surgeons
endourology, male infertility, and in treating various urologic diseases.
in urologic oncology. In the latter capacity, he works closely with the NCI-designated Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. On the heels of the Foundation’s pledge, the Urology Institute
With its location in South Florida, the Institute will provide access to a multitude of patients from various backgrounds and cultures and serve as an international destination for care. Institute
received three more significant donations. First, in an expression of
researchers will study health disparities in the treatment of both
immense gratitude for the urological care provided by Dr. Parekh,
men and women with urological issues.
Hugh Culverhouse, Jr., a successful South Florida attorney, and his wife, Eliza, made a $1 million gift to the Institute. Shortly thereafter, prominent South Florida philanthropists, Terry and Carla Taylor, pledged $3 million to the Institute, and Dan
“The creation of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute will be a new crown jewel for our health system,” said Stuart Miller, chair of the UHealth Board of Directors, chair of Ever Brighter, and a University of Miami trustee. “This commitment demonstrates that
Bold Ambition, Realized
Extraordinary philanthropy, led by a commitment from the Desai Sethi Family Foundation, has affirmed the Department of Urology as a global leader in its field.
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UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
