Lewis Dickey says that no one who sees him now is likely to guess that he had a stroke eight years ago. This is precisely why he and his wife, Patricia, of Atlanta, Ga., have endowed a chair in heart research at Cleveland Clinic.
“To date, I have no physical impairments at all, which I attribute to the care I received there,” Mr. Dickey says.
In particular, he credits Steven E. Nissen, MD, Chairman, the Robert and Suzanne Tomsich Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, with his recovery.
“He was very attentive; very kind and compassionate. I have the greatest respect for him and appreciate the manner in which he handled my case.”
Dr. Nissen will be the first to hold the Lewis and Patricia Dickey Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Research.
Philanthropy Essential for Progress
“Obviously, I’m thrilled,” Dr. Nissen says. “I’m truly honored that I will hold the Dickey Chair.”
Philanthropy is essential to medical progress, he says.
“There are tremendous financial pressures in medicine at this time,” Dr. Nissen says. “We have the competing demands of being able to support what we do for our patients and still get the research done. It is challenging, and national funding for research is relatively flat. In fact, government support has declined in the last five years. Philanthropy allows us to take on projects that are innovative and too risky for major funding agencies to support.”
Researching 'Good' Cholesterol
Dr. Nissen is researching new therapies to reduce coronary plaque and atherosclerosis and raise the level of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), known as the “good” cholesterol.
“I have some projects in the very early stages,” he says. “There is no question that with the endowed chair, I and other members of my team will be able to work more effectively on this research. This chair also will support personnel – post-doctoral fellows who can continue moving projects forward.”
Change Through Philanthropy
Supporting the advancement of cardiovascular research is among Mr. Dickey’s main philanthropic goals. His entire family is committed to bringing about change through philanthropy, he says, and has established a philanthropic foundation, overseen by one of his daughters, Patricia, an attorney.
“I was raised to be philanthropic, and that’s how we raised all six of our children,” Mr. Dickey says. “They all contribute to their alma maters, and they try to help others who aren’t as fortunate as they are.”
The couple’s intent in endowing a chair is to help prevent what happened to Mr. Dickey from happening to others.
“I want to see Dr. Nissen help other people the way he’s helped me,” he says.
Prevention is key
Dr. Nissen says that Mr. Dickey is doing well since his stroke because of his treatment at Cleveland Clinic and also because he is “an engaged patient” who is diligent about taking care of himself. However, he observes, “The best stroke is the one you never have. Preventing these diseases is what we are all about, and what my research is all about.”
Story originally featured in the fall 2008 issue of Catalyst.
