University Hospital Foundation Receives $100,000 D

University Hospital Foundation Receives $100,000 Donation To Liver Transplant Program

Cincinnati - A $100,000 gift was made to the University Hospital Foundation from Maureen Heekin through the Richard J. and Marion E. Heekin Memorial Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. Heekin requested that these funds be disbursed to University Hospital liver transplant patients who are unable to pay for their necessary medications. The Richard J. and Marion E. Heekin Memorial Fund is named in honor of Maureen Heekin's parents.

Heekin, 59, a resident of Mt. Lookout, received a liver transplant at University Hospital in January 2004. "Because I have had a liver transplant myself, I am aware of the many medications that liver transplant recipients need. Unfortunately, some patients cannot afford to pay for these necessary drugs. It is my hope that this donation will help meet the needs of such patients."

"University Hospital is extremely grateful to Ms. Heekin for her generous donation to our liver transplant program," says Paul Volek, administrative director of transplant services, Health Alliance. "Her contributions will significantly benefit many of our patients. We hope that other community members will also consider helping our patients by making a donation to the University Hospital Foundation."

In 2004, six months after her transplant, Heekin gave a $100,000 endowment to the Greater Cincinnati Foundation in support of the annual Heekin Family Lectureship within the Division of Transplantation at the UC College of Medicine. At the same time, Heekin also gave an additional gift to the UC Foundation/Department of Surgery Liver Transplant Gift Fund to support research and educational efforts in liver transplantation.

The University Hospital's Liver Transplant Program began in 1986 and is one of the largest liver transplant programs in Ohio. Approximately 75 liver transplants are performed at University Hospital each year.

The newly formed University Hospital Foundation builds support and finds resources for charitable giving to help maintain the hospital's mission of providing the best in prevention, treatment, education and research. To make a donation to the University Hospital Foundation, please call 513-584-0695.

The University Hospital is part of the Health Alliance, an integrated health care delivery system that also includes The Christ Hospital, The St. Luke Hospitals, The Jewish Hospital, Fort Hamilton Hospital, Drake Center, West Chester Medical Center and the physicians of Alliance Primary Care. To view other Health Alliance press releases, go to www.health-alliance.com/pressroom .