It’s the 100th edition of the Weekly Heartbeat! This week’s issue brings major milestones in both philanthropy and innovation. Dakota Wesleyan secures the largest gift in its 140-year history, Vanderbilt University expands its engineering impact with a $16.5M award, and Tampa General Hospital launches a $10M hybrid OR. Plus, WesternU grows its campus by 150 acres, and WVU advances cancer care with a $10M lead gift.
Musick Family Donates $33M to Strengthen Education Pipeline, Largest gift in DWU History
Roger and Vicki Musick have committed $33 million to launch two $15 million endowment – one for Mitchell Public Schools and one for Dakota Wesleyan University – along with $3 million in immediate seed funding. The largest gift in DWU’s 140-year history, the funding will support scholarships, teacher training, early childhood programs, and curriculum innovation. Read more here.
Clark Foundation Awards $16.5M to Support Vanderbilt Engineering and Innovation
Vanderbilt University has received $16.5 million from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation to expand the Clark Scholars Program at its School of Engineering. The funding strengthens merit-based scholarships, supports community-engaged philanthropy, and launches the new IMPACT program to help students commercialize deep tech innovations. Read more here.
Jenkins Foundation Funds New Hybrid OR with Transformational Gift to Tampa General
The Jenkins Charitable Foundation has made a transformative gift to Tampa General Hospital to establish a state-of-the-art hybrid operating room – a nearly $10 million investment that integrates advanced imaging with surgical capabilities for complex vascular procedures. Named in honor of the Jenkins family, the new OR will enhance patient outcomes, accelerate care innovation, and serve as a cornerstone in TGH’s Elevating Excellence campaign. Read more here.
TV Producer Dick Wolf Donates $10M to Modernize Mount Desert Island Hospital
Television producer Dick Wolf has made a $10 million gift to Mount Desert Island Hospital in Maine – the largest in its history – to support the hospital’s $55 million “Building Our Future” campaign. The funding will help create a modern, patient-centered campus featuring a new emergency department, surgical suites, and a welcoming Main Street entrance. Read more here.
Wheeling Hospital Foundation Donates $10M to New WVU Regional Cancer Center
The Wheeling Hospital Foundation has made a $10 million lead gift toward the new West Virginia University Cancer Institute St. Joseph Regional Cancer Complex, a $122 million project set to bring world-class cancer care to the Ohio Valley. Located on the former OVMC site in Wheeling, the center will offer comprehensive oncology services close to home, reducing the need for patients to travel out of state. Read more here.
WesternU Receives 150-acre Land Gift to Expand Healthcare Education in Oregon
Western University of Health Sciences has received a 150-acre land donation in Lebanon, Oregon – marking a historic milestone in its long-term vision for healthcare education in the Pacific Northwest. The land will support expanded medical and physical therapy programs, a new behavioral health institute, and net-zero campus development. Read more here.
