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New Smidt Heart Institute Announced at Cedars-Sinai

A hand gently passes a red heart to another in front of surgeons in masks and gowns.

Cedars-Sinai is pleased to announce a $50 million gift from Eric and Susan Smidt and The Smidt Foundation to create the Smidt Heart Institute. The gift will advance vital research and innovative practices across the fields of cardiology and cardiovascular surgery.


"We are deeply moved by the opportunity to support our family's local medical center and also serve the global medical community by funding Cedars-Sinai's internationally renowned heart research."


The gift-the largest in Cedars-Sinai's 116-year history-will enable the hospital to expand its research and treatment of heart conditions by pursuing the most innovative science, advancing clinical trials and emerging treatments, and training the next generation of heart specialists.

"Eric and Susan Smidt approached Cedars-Sinai with the desire to contribute a transformative and inspiring gift that will improve lives both here in Los Angeles and around the world," says Thomas M. Priselac, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai. "The Smidt Heart Institute will propel us forward in leading the quest for innovation with the goal of devising better treatments for heart disease, one of the world's greatest health needs."

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in LA County, across the US, and globally. More than 92 million Americans live with cardiovascular diseases—including heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure—and about 2,200 die each day from these conditions.


"Eric and Susan Smidt's generous gift will have an enormously positive impact on our ability to provide the best cardiac care possible to our patients."


Doctors at the Smidt Heart Institute are pursuing the most advanced cardiac research, such as using stem cells to regrow heart tissue after a heart attack, while treating patients with some of the world's leading techniques, such as using 3-D printing to help physicians perform minimally invasive heart valve repair and replacement for children with congenital heart defects.

"We are deeply moved by the opportunity to support our family's local medical center and also serve the global medical community by funding Cedars-Sinai's internationally renowned heart research," says Eric Smidt, founder and CEO of Harbor Freight Tools.

"Cedars-Sinai cardiologists are pioneers in this field, and the heart institute is one of the world leaders when it comes to modern heart medicine—and it's in our own backyard. We are humbled to play a role in their long tradition of saving lives and serving our community."

"Eric and Susan Smidt's generous gift will have an enormously positive impact on our ability to provide the best cardiac care possible to our patients," says Dr. Eduardo Marbán, director of the Smidt Heart Institute.

"We are deeply grateful for their visionary support, which will cement the reputation of the Smidt Heart Institute as the leading resource for all aspects of cardiology and cardiovascular surgery."