PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his wife Penny have pledged the largest financial gift in the history of Oregon Health & Science University.
The couple donated $125 million to establish a new institute for cardiovascular research and care.
Hospital staff said Monday the OHSU Cardiovascular Institute will bring clinicians and researchers together to translate laboratory discoveries into new and better treatments for heart and vascular disease.
The goal is also to build partnerships with pharmaceutical and medical device developers to offer even more expertise to patients.
Acclaimed heart surgeon Dr. Albert Starr will co-direct the new institute with Dr. Sanjiv Kaul, head of OHSU's Division of Cardiovascular Medicine.
They said the $125 million gift will give them immediate leverage in recruiting and retaining additional faculty from around the country and the world.
It is the Knights' second landmark gift to OSHU. The couple also pledged $100 million in 2008 to advance the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute.
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