Parkview Foundation announced a $1 million gift Tuesday, from the Mirro Family Foundation. The gift will be used for the building of the Mirro Family Research and Education Center and is the largest donation the Parkview foundation has ever received.
The new research and education facility will be built on the campus of the Parkview Regional Medical Center. The center will provide educational and research opportunities for the area. Dr. Michael Mirro, a cardiologist with Parkview Physicians Group and medical director of Parkview Research Center, has been involved with research at Parkview for the past 25 years and has been with the hospital fro the past 31 years. The new facility will allow research to grow beyond clinical trials and make possible the transition from bench research to the bedside.
Mirro said by donating $1 million to the project he and his family are showing their commitment to the health and welfare of the region as well as leaving a lasting legacy.
Mirro said a research facility of this caliber is unheard of at a private medical center like Parkview. In the past, research like this has been conducted only on university level. Parkview Physicians will conduct clinical and transitional research in collaboration with ongoing bench research at Duke University, Indiana University, Harvard University and the Cleveland Clinic.
Mirro said they are conducting 44 clinical trials; with the new facility they will be able to expand that number. New high0wage positions will be created for researchers and nurses, Mirro said.
Mike Packnett, president and CEO of Parkview Health, said the new Mirro Family Research and Education Center will act as a hub for fostering medical trends and breakthroughs. These new innovations and training techniques will be available to health care professional throughout the region.
Other major contributors to the project are Parkview Physicians Group, Weigand Pepper Joint Venture, Larry and Monica Weigand Foundation, English Bonter Mitchell Foundation, Kilbourne Trust and the Larry and Wendy Rowland family.
