Propelling Summa Health to the forefront of cardiovascular care

This story originally appeared in the Summer 2024 edition of Promise magazine.

The Wildflower Foundation

Thanks to the continued generosity of The Wildflower Foundation, the Cardiovascular Institute Fellowship Program received a welcomed boost in support of training new physicians to provide cutting-edge cardiology care with the utmost compassion and excellence. 

Since the inception of the Fellowship Program in 2014, the foundation has played a pivotal role in its growth and development. Achieving full certification and reaching full enrollment in 2016, the program has flourished, expanding its capacity to 12 fellows per year by 2018. 

“The longtime support of The Wildflower Foundation strengthens these advanced training opportunities. With their generosity, our comprehensive cardiovascular program is highly sought after nationally and recognized for rigorous, clinically excellent training,” said Summa Health cardiologist Roger B. Chaffee, M.D. (shown here). "The support from The Wildflower Foundation cultivates a rich learning environment for fellows and ensures that Summa Health remains at the forefront of cardiovascular medicine, providing the community with exceptional care.

Fred Damerow

As a committed ambassador of the Summa Health Cardiovascular Leadership Council, Fred Damerow takes the council’s mission of philanthropic partnership to heart. His most recent generosity is a testament to his unwavering support of the advancement of cardiology services and education. 

After experiencing first-hand the exceptional care provided by Summa Health when he underwent a life-saving procedure to receive stents, Fred was compelled to support cardiology research and education. Fred’s passion for heart health was first inspired by a meeting with Dr. Peter Bittenbender (shown here), chief of Structural Heart Disease at Summa Health. 

Recognizing the urgent need for more physicians capable of performing advanced cardiac procedures, Fred wanted to ensure that the future of cardiovascular care remained robust and bright. 

“Thanks to the championing efforts of supporters like The Wildflower Foundation and Fred Damerow, Summa Health remains at the forefront of cardiovascular care,” said Dr. Chaffee. “Their generosity and vision have been instrumental in propelling our program forward, improving patient outcomes and nurturing the next generation of heart care professionals.”