The Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has received a significant gift from Constance and James W. Brown of Chagrin Falls, President Barbara R. Snyder announced Thursday evening. The gift will help fund a new medical education and research building and headquarters for the School of Medicine, and puts the medical education and research building project more than halfway to the $50 million philanthropic goal.
The Browns’ generosity comes in honor of the school’s dean, Pamela B. Davis, who has treated their granddaughter for cystic fibrosis over several decades.
“Our granddaughter KC Bryan White is a cystic fibrosis patient. Dean Davis has been her principal caregiver for 30 years—through childhood, adolescence, marriage and motherhood. So we know the dean well. We have learned to admire her without reservation. And above all, we have learned that she has a heart as big as all outdoors,” James Brown said. “We feel privileged to honor Dean Davis with our gift in support of the new medical education and research building.”
In recognition of her clinical contributions and the research strides she has made in the cystic fibrosis arena, the administrative suite in the new building will be named for Davis, per the Browns’ wishes.
“It has been a long trail from the day our granddaughter was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis to this day that we can anticipate a cure. We are grateful to all the people in the pulmonary department who have helped and encouraged their patients to fight hard and live life to the fullest. Pam Davis has been the head cheerleader for our family all these years. To be able to participate in a gift to the medical education and research building in Pam’s name is a wonderful way to show our support for all the people in this superb medical school,” Constance Brown said.
“I am overwhelmed, both by Jim and Connie’s personal tribute, and the level of support they have shown for this important capital project. With their gift, the School of Medicine will soon enter a new era of technology-enhanced medical education,” Davis said. “The building also will allow the School of Medicine to align our innovative curriculum with spectacular 21st century space appropriate to its design. The Browns have always been visionary supporters of our progress.”
The planned 160,000-square-foot education and research facility will incorporate the most modern technology, teaching and laboratory techniques. Academic spaces will mirror core curriculum elements, such as technologically enhanced small-group learning rooms, modern anatomy labs, wired lecture halls and independent study spaces. A key element will be the Mt. Sinai Skills and Simulation Center, which will be prominently located in the new facility. It also will serve as the home office of the Weatherhead Institute for Family Medicine and Community Health and a physical base for the institute’s community-engaged research and programs.
James Brown is chairman of Tailwind Technologies Inc., holding company of Hartzell Propeller Inc., in Piqua, Ohio. The Browns are longtime supporters of Cleveland medical organizations.