Brachman Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Learning and Education Established to Accelerate Medical Education and Training of Next Generation of Healthcare Providers

The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation® (MHIF) an independent, nonprofit leader in world-class cardiovascular research and education announced today it received a $5 million transformational gift from Armand and Mary Brachman to accelerate medical education programs with global reach, including training for the next generation of healthcare providers. The gift will establish the Armand and Mary Brachman Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Learning and Education, continuing a core commitment of the MHIF mission to share learnings from research around the world and inspire the rising generation of medical providers trained in world-class cardiovascular care.

“Our gift to the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation reflects our intention to provide philanthropic funding to organizations that make a measurable and sustainable difference in people’s lives,” said Mary Brachman. “We believe in the power of education to transform lives and improve outcomes. By supporting the MHIF education center, we are investing in the future of cardiovascular care and empowering the next wave of healthcare professionals and researchers to make a lasting impact on heart health worldwide.”

“Mary and I are honored to be in a position where we can provide this gift to the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation,” said Armand Brachman. “My hope for the gift is that the Foundation continues to grow and sustain the level of excellence they currently embrace with their commitment to education, and as a leader in cardiovascular research.”

“This extraordinary gift will allow us to expand our education initiatives and reach even more healthcare providers as well as train the younger generation in the innovative field of heart and vascular care,” said Scott Sharkey, MD, MHIF president and chief medical officer. “We are deeply grateful for the Brachman’s vision and generosity in helping us shape the future of cardiovascular care through their thoughtful support of education.”

The Brachman Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Learning and Education embodies MHIF’s mission to improve cardiovascular health through research and education.

• Innovative Medical Education: MHIF physician researchers share their renowned expertise with physicians around the world. This level of physician-to-physician education accelerates the impact of innovation uncovered through research as its reach multiplies with all the physicians who can learn from cutting-edge research. The focus of MHIF professional education covers topics across heart and vascular research, from heart disease prevention to complex surgical techniques and new, innovative medical technologies that advance care and outcomes for patients.
   
• Pioneering New Therapies: MHIF physicians have renowned expertise and play a role in partnering with other leaders on entrepreneurial cardiovascular advancements. Their expertise makes them ideal partners for medical device companies and supports the device to commercial use model, sharing insights from hands-on experience with patients and training opportunities from extensive use in research for new devices. These efforts are critical to the introduction of new cardiovascular technologies.
   
• Summer Clinical Research Internship Program: Offering undergraduate students immersive experience in cardiovascular research. Interns work alongside leading MHIF researchers and clinicians, gaining direct exposure to clinical research, data analysis, and patient-centered care. This program is designed to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals and researchers by providing real-world experience and mentorship and leads to opportunities to publish and present on their research at leading cardiovascular conferences.

“This transformational gift honors the vital role of professional education in advancing cardiovascular care around the world,” said Kristine Fortman, PhD, MHIF chief executive officer. “We are grateful to the Brachman family for the faith they put in MHIF and the shared vision they have for this critical work.”

About the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation

The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF) strives to create a world without heart and vascular disease. To achieve this bold vision, MHIF is dedicated to improving the cardiovascular health of individuals and communities through innovative research and education.

Scientific Innovation and Research – MHIF is a recognized leader across all specialties of heart and vascular research. Each year, MHIF leads more than 220 research studies with more than 2,200 patients and publishes more than 250 articles in top-tier medical journals to share learnings from research. MHIF research has advanced the standard of care around the world through protocols like Level One for heart attack, which significantly improved outcomes and survival for patients.

Education and Outreach – MHIF provides more than 11,000 hours of education each year putting its research into practice to improve outcomes among health care providers. This commitment extends to patients and caregivers through community health and education events to raise awareness of heart care and research, engaging individuals in their own health.

The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation’s work is funded by generous contributors and sponsors and engages in cutting-edge research initiatives with its physician partners from the Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute® at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and at 38 community sites across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. For more information, please visit mplsheart.org.

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