$1.5 Million Gift from Shusterman Family Will Support Epilepsy Surgery Program
10/15/2008
Karen and Richard Shusterman of Lafayette Hill, Pa., have committed $1.5 million to establish an Endowed Chair within Cleveland Clinic’s Epilepsy Center. The Karen and Richard Shusterman Family Endowed Chair will support epilepsy surgery research.
Neurosurgeon William Bingaman, M.D., Section Head of Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Center, will be the first chair holder.
“Many patients can benefit from epilepsy surgery,” said Bingaman. “The Shustermans’ generosity will support important research that may one day lead to improved techniques.”
Karen and Richard Shusterman chose to support the Epilepsy Center with an endowed chair after Karen had epilepsy surgery at Cleveland Clinic. With the gift of the chair, they hope to raise awareness about the benefits of surgery and help clinicians develop new techniques to improve patient care.
“We were pleased with Karen’s care throughout her entire experience at Cleveland Clinic, including her post-operative care,” said Richard Shusterman. “With this chair, we can leave a legacy for others who may benefit from medical and surgical breakthroughs that can restore their lives.”
Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Center leads the country in surgical volume, and physicians across the medical disciplines work together in caring for patients, resulting in better, more convenient care. The Epilepsy Center staff sees more than 4,000 patients a year and performs more than 225 surgical procedures. It is one of the leading programs in the world and one of the first institutions to perform brain mapping for pre-surgical evaluations in epilepsy. Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Center is the only hospital in Northern Ohio using a clinical MEG (magnetoencephalography) machine, an advanced imaging technique that records and measures brain function.
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is a not-for-profit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Cleveland Clinic was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. U.S.News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey.
Approximately 1,800 full-time salaried physicians and researchers at Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Florida represent more than 100 medical specialties and subspecialties. In 2007, there were 3.5 million outpatient visits to Cleveland Clinic. Patients came for treatment from every state and from more than 80 countries. Cleveland Clinic’s website address is www.clevelandclinic.org.
Media Contact
Molly Johnson, 216.444.1815, johnsm@ccf.org
