Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation Receives Landmark Gift For Women’s Cancer Research
October 26, 2015 (Sarasota, FL.)— Through the extraordinary generosity of the Kolschowsky Foundation, a gift of
$5.3 million over five years has been secured to expand research in women’s gynecological cancers at Sarasota
Memorial Health Care System. This gift is in addition to the phase 1 gift of $1.3 million-making the total pledged
amount over $6.5 million.
Dr. James Fiorica, gynecologic oncologist and Medical Director of the Women’s Gynecology Cancer Research
Program at Sarasota Memorial, has collaborated with other scientists and institutions around the world to build
expertise and leverage resources that address the global burden of cancer with the goal of reducing cancer deaths. In
2010, the Healthcare Foundation received an initial grant to provide start-up funding to launch a pilot program in
women’s cancer research at Sarasota Memorial. The goal was to create a model whereby women contending with a
variety of gynecological cancers could be treated locally with the same advanced care, latest technology and
improved drug therapies usually reserved for large academic cancer centers. Under Dr. Fiorica’s directorship, the
patients are able to stay and be treated with state-of-the-art care here in Sarasota.
This extraordinary gift will allow us to now move into the very important next phase of the program and beyond
which will involve expanding treatment options outside of Sarasota to other communities with the hope of growing
it to other regions of the state and eventually nationally. “We will continue to find ways to enhance the quality of
our research, ensure the safety and well-being of patients, measure the effectiveness of treatment with accurate
clinical outcomes data and hopefully one day find a cure,” said Dr. Fiorica. “The need for private philanthropy to
accelerate medical research and innovation has never been greater and addresses a critical gap that industry and
government cannot fulfill,” said Foundation CEO Alex Quarles.
Sarasota Memorial is a unique public community hospital that continues to draw national acclaim for its programs,
its services, and the quality of healthcare it provides. With new facilities slated to roll out in the next year, a medical
residency program scheduled to begin in 2017, and recent designation as a Level II trauma center, Sarasota
Memorial remains true to its mission to be the safety net hospital.
“Our family is proud to stand with Sarasota Memorial and support women’s gynecological research and the very
important work of Dr. Fiorica. It is humbling to know that we can help advance research in this area that may one
day lead to a cure for this dreaded disease”, said Tim Kolschowsky, Director and spokesperson for the family
foundation.
About Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Inc. Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Inc. is a not-forprofit
organization with the mission to improve the delivery of healthcare for the Sarasota area through the
acquisition and utilization of philanthropic funds. Since 1976, the Foundation has awarded more than $60 million to
support patient care, research, education, state-of-the-art medical technology and facilities. For more information on
how you can give to your healthcare partner call (941) 917-1286 or visit www.smhf.org or follow us on Facebook
(www.facebook.com/SarasotaMemorialHealthcareFoundationInc).
Tomorrow’s Medical Care, Today. ENVISION the possibilities…For nearly 40 years; Sarasota Memorial
Healthcare Foundation, Inc. has supported research, education, technology and facilities at SMH and
throughout the greater Sarasota Community. The end result is patient care that is second to none.
