Hartford HealthCare News Service
Hartford HealthCare has announced two transformational philanthropic investments to support the Hartford HealthCare Neuroscience Institute, advancing Hartford HealthCare’s place as a leader in the neurosciences. The multimillion-dollar gifts will be used to further Hartford HealthCare’s vision and create world-class centers of excellence to better serve our patients and enhance access to top-quality care from the first diagnosis through treatment to caregiver support.
The Louise and Ramani Ayer gift supports the emerging Neuroscience Institute, to be renamed the Ayer Neuroscience Institute, bringing together the best clinical care, increased focus on translational research and leading edge technology to offer world-class care for all neurological conditions.
The Chase family gift supports advancement of the Movement Disorders Center. It is to be named the David and Rhoda Chase Family Movement Disorders Center, and include the establishment of a Neurology Fellowship in Movement Disorders.
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“We are incredibly thankful. These are transformational gifts that allow us to build on our tremendous history of innovation and bring the best clinical care to the region,” said Jeffrey Flaks, Hartford HealthCare’s president and chief operating officer. “We are true leaders in the emerging world of neuroscience, ensuring all patients have improved access to the highest quality care.”
“We couldn’t be more excited. We see a great opportunity to build a world-class, Neuroscience Institute right here, bringing top-notch, compassionate care to our communities,” said Ramani Ayer, the former CEO and chairman of The Hartford. “My wife and I could not be more proud to be a part of it. Our gift ensures this will be a true destination for patients with a variety of neurological issues.”
Dr. Mark Alberts, the new physician in chief of the Ayer Neuroscience Institute, said the gifts will help shape care at the institute.
“Through its centers of excellence and high-quality programs, the Ayer Neuroscience Institute will advance compassionate, patient-centered neurologic care,” he said. “We are charging ahead with life-changing research and comprehensive education. Our physicians will create national models for the future for so many different neurological issues.”
The Chase family’s gift reflects the spirt of their father, David Chase a philanthropist and businessman who survived three concentration camps during World War II. Chase, born in Poland, eventually formed Chase Enterprises, which helped reshape the Hartford skyline in the 1970s and 1980s. He died last year, at 88, from complications of Parkinson’s disease.
“Through our father’s illness, we experienced firsthand the extreme need for people in Connecticut who have Parkinson’s disease, or other neurological afflictions, to have ready access to comprehensive, specialized care, without having to travel out of state,” said Arnold Chase.
“We strongly felt that Hartford HealthCare and the specialists building its Movement Disorders Center would be best able to fill this gap in services for so many in our region,” said Cheryl Chase, the general counsel at Chase Enterprises. “Our hope is for this gift to have a profound impact in this area of need.”
Chase Enterprises were involved in the development of office towers in the 1970s and 1980s at One Financial Plaza (the Gold Building), 20 Church St (the Stilts Building) and 280 Trumbull St.
“We could not be more grateful to the Ayer family and to the Chase family,” said Elliot Joseph, CEO of Hartford HealthCare. “These gifts will take research to a new level and increase our understanding of the brain. We will translate that knowledge into new treatments, improving the overall health of the people we serve.”