MIAMI, FL – November 2, 2022 – On Wednesday, October 26, Baptist Health Foundation hosted a ceremony and dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove in celebration of the Abbhi Family Endowed Chair in Urologic Oncology, supporting the work of Murugesan Manoharan, M.D., chief of urologic oncologic surgery at Miami Cancer Institute.  The event was held in recognition of the Abbhi family, who formally presented Dr. Manoharan with the endowed chair, and was attended by leaders and physicians from Baptist Health, Baptist Health Foundation and Miami Cancer Institute. Speakers included Michael Zinner, M.D., CEO and executive medical director of Miami Cancer Institute; Joe Natoli, EVP and chief administrative officer of Baptist Health; and Alex Villoch, CEO of Baptist Health Foundation.

In May, Baptist Health Foundation announced that the Abbhi Family Foundation, led by Deepak Abbhi, has made a $5 million gift to Baptist Health Foundation in support of the Bladder Cancer Clinic Fund at Baptist Health’s Miami Cancer Institute. The gift will fund patient care and research initiatives, as well as educational programs with international partnering institutions.

“We are very grateful to Deepak Abbhi and the Abbhi Family Foundation for this remarkable gift,” said Alex Villoch, CEO of Baptist Health Foundation. “Their generous support will be instrumental in advancing important research into urological cancer, helping save lives not only in our community, but also around the world.”

Of the total amount, $3 million will be directed to Miami Cancer Institute’s Bladder Cancer Clinic Fund within Urologic Oncology to support and name the Abbhi Family Bladder Cancer Clinic.  The $2 million balance of the gift will establish the Abbhi Family Endowed Chair in Urologic Oncology to support the work of Murugesan Manoharan, M.D., chief of urologic oncologic surgery at Miami Cancer Institute.  Dr. Manoharan specializes in the treatment of genitourinary cancers, including bladder, kidney, prostate and testicular cancer. He is a leader in the field of robotic and minimally invasive surgery for urologic cancers. His research areas of focus include stem cell applications, biomarkers and cancer outcomes.

“We are sincerely honored by this new endowed chair in urologic oncology,” said Dr. Manoharan. “The grant will assist Miami Cancer Institute in conducting research and clinical trials and disseminate the findings through publications and seminars.  We are also excited to provide educational opportunities for visiting surgeons from overseas by partnering with esteemed cancer institutions across the globe.”

“We wanted to create more opportunities to support research in the field of bladder cancer,” said Deepak Abbhi, trustee for the Abbhi Family Foundation. “My hope is that the research at Miami Cancer Institute’s Bladder Cancer Clinic will help improve patient survival rates and quality of life, and educate cancer caregivers, both locally and internationally.”

Miami Cancer Institute, which opened in 2017, cares for an average of 1,200 patients each day. The Institute provides unparalleled expertise in individual cancers, and access to the world’s latest cancer discoveries, most effective treatments and best outcomes – all right here in South Florida.

“This donation is very meaningful for Miami Cancer Institute,” said Michael J. Zinner, M.D., CEO and executive medical director. “In addition to helping advance research into urologic cancer to improve treatment and outcomes for our patients, it will strengthen the Institute’s global outreach and make a direct impact on cancer care around the world.”

About Baptist Health Foundation

The mission of Baptist Health Foundation is to inspire philanthropy and build extraordinary donor relationships in support of excellence, innovation, community wellness and global leadership in healthcare at Baptist Health South Florida. Through philanthropy, the Foundation supports and expands Baptist Health’s ability to provide outstanding patient care and bring the latest treatments to patients and families affected by a serious illness. Donor contributions also allow the Foundation to assist Baptist Health facilities in keeping pace with technology and equipment advances, perform cutting-edge research and offer continuing education opportunities to medical staff. Learn more at BaptistHealth.net/Foundation.

About Miami Cancer Institute

Miami Cancer Institute brings to South Florida access to personalized clinical treatments and comprehensive support services delivered with unparalleled compassion. No other cancer program in the region has the combination of cancer-fighting expertise and advanced technology—including the first proton therapy center in South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean, and one of the only radiation oncology programs in the world with each of the newest radiation therapies in one place—to diagnose and deliver precise cancer treatments that achieve the best outcomes and improve the lives of cancer patients. The Institute offers an impressive roster of established community oncologists and renowned experts, clinical researchers and genomic scientists recruited from the nation’s top cancer centers. Selected as Florida’s only member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer (MSK) Alliance, Miami Cancer Institute is part of a meaningful clinical collaboration that affords patients in South Florida access to innovative treatments and ensures that the standards of care developed by their multidisciplinary disease management teams match those at MSK.

Miami Cancer Institute is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 12 hospitals, more than 24,000 employees, 4,000 physicians and 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies.

For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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