Dan Sundheim and his wife, Brett, have brought their passion for investing in health care development to their new home city of Miami, and they have recently committed $5 million to UHealth—University of Miami Health System.
“We like investing in hospitals because they are one of the most important institutions within a community,” said Dan Sundheim, founder and chief investment officer of D1 Capital. “Miami is growing quickly. It has the potential to become one of the world’s greatest cities and, as such, hospitals are going to become increasingly important.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the generous support from Dan and Brett Sundheim,” said University of Miami President Julio Frenk. “It is this type of support that enables the University of Miami, UHealth, and the Miller School of Medicine to produce the types of groundbreaking advances in health care that are only possible at an academic health system.”
The Sundheims’ pledge is part of the University’s Ever Brighter: The Campaign for Our Next Century. The most ambitious in the University’s history, the $2.5 billion campaign is set to conclude in 2025, when the University will celebrate its centennial.
The Sundheims were compelled to make the financial pledge to UHealth after being introduced to Dr. Dipen J. Parekh, chief operating officer of UHealth, founding director of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute, chair of the Department of Urology at the Miller School, and the Dr. Victor Politano Endowed Chair in Clinical Urology.
“We were inspired by Dr. Parekh’s enthusiasm and vision,” said Dan Sundheim. “We knew there was already an amazing academic medical institution in Miami but seeing someone in leadership with that level of energy and motivation was particularly attractive to us.”
The Sundheims, who have a history of partnering with the NYU Langone hospital system, are now helping to fuel the growth of another university-based health system.
“We didn’t want to be too prescriptive about how the money is allocated,” Dan Sundheim said. “When I invest in a company, I don’t tell the CEO how to run the business. I recognize talented people and let them make the decision on how to best allocate the capital.”
Though neither are patients, the donation by the Sundheims has been designated to an innovation and technology fund at the new Desai Sethi Urology Institute. This fund will finance specialized research projects that will expand innovative treatment options for patients.
“It’s an honor to receive support from the Sundheims who have such a successful record of spotting potential and supporting health care development,” said Parekh. “It has truly been a pleasure getting to know Dan and his family and I am so grateful for their philanthropy and the confidence they are placing in UHealth.”
The Desai Sethi Urology Institute has seen multiple large donations in recent months, and the investment from the Sundheims adds to the growing momentum.
If you would like to join the Sundheims in contributing to the Desai Sethi Urology Institute, contact Rosemarie Ugalde at r.ugalde@med.miami.edu or 305-243-4191.
