A record year for giving at Pauley!

Gifts of every size make an impact on research, education and patient care

In fiscal year 2020, we achieved a fundraising record of $6.6 million, fueling innovation and advancements in clinical care at the VCU Health Pauley Heart Center.

“These gifts allow us to test novel ideas and use that data to apply for national grants, recruit new faculty, educate the next generation of health care providers and ultimately provide the best cardiovascular care here in Virginia,” said Carrie Mills, Pauley’s lead development officer.

A $5 million gift from the Pauley Family Foundation, the majority of which went to clinical care, was announced in February. Other sizeable gifts included $600,000 from C. Kenneth Wright supporting research in electrophysiology and cardiac arrhythmias, and a $250,000 gift from an anonymous benefactor that was earmarked for cardio-oncology research.

“Gifts of every size make a huge impact, allowing our faculty, students and caregivers to improve cardiovascular care for all,” said Mills, noting that 147 donors contributed to the record-breaking year.

Many donors are people who have experienced Pauley’s excellent patient care, either as patients themselves, or through friends and family, said Margaret Ann Bollmeier, president of the MCV Foundation, which manages Pauley’s financial assets. “Contributors want to show their gratitude to the excellent physicians and support their research and future innovations for the benefit of future patients.”

“Dr. Hundley’s vision is exciting, and people want to be part of helping the Pauley Heart Center realize it.”

Mills said donors this fiscal year also included alumni, faculty and staff, community leaders and friends of Pauley Heart Center, who supported Pauley through planned, major and annual fund gifts. Those donations were also counted in VCU’s seven-year Make It Real capital campaign, which ended in June 2020.

Pauley’s fundraising success comes on the heels of another financial milestone. In 2019, Pauley received the most external funding in one fiscal year. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report just recognized VCU Medical Center as the No. 1 hospital in the Richmond metro area for the 10th year in a row in its 2020-21 “Best Hospitals” rankings. VCU Medical Center ranked No. 44 for cardiology and heart surgery out of more than 4,500 hospitals nationwide.

These recent, significant achievements reflect the leadership and direction of Dr. Greg Hundley, director of Pauley Heart Center since 2018. “The applied research and cutting-edge work at Pauley Heart Center attract donors who want to support innovations and positive outcomes,” Bollmeier said. “Dr. Hundley’s vision is exciting, and people want to be part of helping the Pauley Heart Center realize it.”

Created by Hundley in 2019, the Pauley Advisory Board has played a significant role in fundraising, Bollmeier added. “Founding advisory board chair Roger Boeve has recruited a highly respected, connected and diverse board that is reaching out to community members to share the Pauley Heart Center vision and solicit support for it.”

“We’re so grateful for the support of the community,” Mills said. “Their gifts allow us to provide the best care to patients.”