reduce or eliminate the need for ongoing anticoagulant therapy and repeat surgeries. The devices are currently under clinical investigation in the U.S. and India with promising results. Another partner is Cincinnati-based Sense Neuro Diagnostics, whose non-invasive brainscanning technology will provide real-time monitoring for brain bleeding, saving precious time for stroke or traumatic brain injury patients experiencing a new or expanding bleed. Trials are ongoing in the U.S., Canada and India. The Innovation Center is also helping Salt Lake startup, Epitel, bring “cloud-enabled” seizure-detection patches to ERs, ICUs and patients’ homes, expanding EEG access and affordability, and increasing the speed of diagnosis and treatment. The wireless EEG sensors and real-time remote monitoring software have already been FDA cleared for in-hospital use, and St. Elizabeth will be the first facility in the U.S. to roll out the technology for its patients. “Our goal is to identify creative solutions to healthcare challenges faced by our patients and providers, help validate their effectiveness in realworld settings and integrate them into patient care as quickly and safely as possible,” said Bhandari. “And the more we invest in and successfully implement these high-tech solutions, the more we’ll attract smart healthcare entrepreneurs to bring their breakthrough medtech, pharma and software solutions right here to St. Elizabeth. Ultimately, the entire community has the potential to benefit from enhancing healthcare innovations.” Dr. Manish Bhandari’s passion for science runs deep, and his compassion for those in his care even deeper. As his patients will tell you, the St. Elizabeth medical oncologist is relentless in his pursuit of the best possible therapy and outcome for everyone he treats. But his commitment to a healthier future doesn’t stop there. His vision for transforming care extends beyond his own specialty to every aspect of medicine, from the solutions available today to the possibilities of tomorrow. And he’s working to bring those opportunities right here, with the newly launched St. Elizabeth Healthcare Innovation Center. “Over the past decades, I’ve seen the impact that new technologies such as immunotherapy, cell therapy, medical devices like pacemakers and implantable defibrillators, and healthcare IT have had on enhancing the life and health of my patients, my family and society at large,” said Bhandari. “There is an unbelievable amount of innovation happening every day, and I think it’s important that we support its development to help improve standard of care.” The Innovation Center includes a venture fund for investing in emerging healthcare companies focused on improving the lives of patients through faster, more accurate diagnoses, state of the art treatment options and increased cost efficiency of care. St. Elizabeth’s Board of Trustees approved $25 million in seed funding last fall, and Bhandari was quick to join the investment with a personal commitment of $5 million from his estate and charitable foundation. In appreciation of the gift, St. Elizabeth has named the fund the Bhandari Venture Fund—and Bhandari its Clinical Director. The Innovation Center has already invested $5 million in Salt Lake City-based Foldax, which has developed the first-in-human synthetic polymer heart valves. Compared to current heart valves, the polymer versions are robotically produced at a fraction of the cost, last a lifetime, and can Bringing Healthcare’s Innovation Frontier Right Here Dr. Manish Bhandari, Clinical Director of St. Elizabeth Innovation Center In 2015, St. Elizabeth launched its Clinical Research Institute, offering new hope and a better quality of life for many patients in our area. Today, thanks to the support of generous donors, we have more than 170 active and enrolling clinical trials across multiple specialties. Now we are excited to announce we are exploring yet another frontier in healthcare with the newly launched St. Elizabeth Healthcare Innovation Center. Through its venture fund — The Bhandari Venture Fund, the Innovation Center will invest in emerging companies and partner with them to bring cutting-edge clinical treatments right here to St. Elizabeth, eliminating the need to travel for world-class care. Several collaborations are already underway, which you can read about in this issue. It’s another step toward St. Elizabeth’s vision to lead the communities it serves to be among the healthiest in the nation. Bob Hoffer Chair, St. Elizabeth Foundation Managing Partner, DBL Law In this issue, we highlight the newly launched St. Elizabeth Healthcare Innovation Center. It’s not a physical space, but a focal point for collaborative problemsolving and solution development designed to make healthcare more accessible, more affordable and more effective for all. The work will be fueled by a venture fund seeded with $25 million from St. Elizabeth and a $5 million commitment from our own Dr. Manish Bhandari. His passion is inspiring and his generosity humbling. What a powerful message it sends when those who know St. Elizabeth best — our associates — believe what we’re doing in this community is worthy of their own financial support. I encourage you to read about the breakthroughs in care delivery headed our way and consider investing in the promise these future advances will bring, right here. Carri Chandler Vice President, St. Elizabeth Foundation The mission of St. Elizabeth Foundation ... is to inspire and connect our generous community with St. Elizabeth programs and projects dedicated to improving the health of our families, friends and neighbors. We will elevate St. Elizabeth to lead the communities we serve to be among the healthiest in America. Inspiring Generosity, Vol . 6 | St . Elizabeth Foundation | Spring 2023 2 3 Contact Us: (859) 301–3920 | stefoundation@stelizabeth.com | stelizabeth.com/foundation
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