Kelly Family inspiring, educating and training future heart specialists 

Roger Chaffee, M.D., and Jim Kelly

The Kelly family is passionate about making the world a better place through philanthropy and civic leadership. Brothers Jim, Bob and Ray Kelly, owners of Bil-Jac Foods in Medina, are carrying on the tradition of giving back to the community created by their late parents, William and Ruth Kelly.

 

William, who founded Bil-Jac in 1947 with his brother, Jack, served as a longtime board member for Highland Local Schools, and together with Ruth provided funds for scholarships and educational programs within the community. 

The Kelly brothers were excited to strengthen their parents’ legacy by partnering with the Summa Health Heart and Vascular Institute. The family’s generous gift of $100,000 from the William and Ruth Kelly Foundation will support cardiology fellows training at Summa Health to become the next generation of heart specialists. 

“We know our parents would be thrilled to be involved with Summa Health Heart and Vascular Institute,” said Jim Kelly, who learned first-hand what a difference cardiovascular specialists can make when he spent a day at Summa Health shadowing Roger Chaffee, M.D., chair of the Summa Health Heart and Vascular Institute.

“Summa Health is proud to partner with the Kellys,” Dr. Chaffee said. “The need for quality, dedicated cardiologists is going to increase substantially as our population matures, and the 
Kellys are helping Summa Health nurture that next generation of caregivers.” 

NOTE: This article originally appeared in the Spring 2018 edition of Promise magazine.

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For more information about the Heart and Vascular Institute, contact Jessica Hudson, senior director of development, 330.375.4762 or hudsonj@summahealth.org.