Karen and Jerry Kolschowsky
WINTER 2024
A $25 million gift from the Kolschowsky family was the catalyst that allowed Sarasota Memorial to break ground on a new Research and Education Institute.
The story behind this transformative gift highlights the incredible bond that is often created between a patient, a family and a dedicated team of healthcare professionals. It is a story of human connection, gratitude, and a shared commitment to making excellent healthcare available to everyone. It is a story about improving entire communities for the good of all.
Fifteen years ago, after returning from a trip to Africa, Karen Kolschowsky “just didn’t feel right.” When her health issues persisted, a friend suggested she see James Fiorica, M.D., a gynecological oncologist who now serves as Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s chief medical officer.
Dr. Fiorica determined that Karen had a very serious ovarian cancer that needed immediate attention. At the time, he didn’t know who Karen and Jerry Kolschowsky were; he just knew that Karen had a very bad cancer. “I went to see him on a Tuesday, the test results came back on Wednesday, and on Thursday, he performed surgery,” Karen said, closing her eyes as the memories came flooding back.
Karen’s surgery and treatment were successful, and today, she is still cancer-free. “I treated her, and she did well,” Dr. Fiorica said humbly.
Beyond grateful for Dr. Fiorica’s expertise and compassionate care of his team, the Kolschowskys decided they needed to do more for cancer research and the advancement of medicine. “Literally, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Dr. Fiorica,” said Karen.
Karen and Jerry’s relationship with Dr. Fiorica grew as they learned more about his research. They decided to fund a year of his research. They recall receiving a lot of information about his clinical trials and drugs he was testing. Much like Dr. Fiorica guiding the couple through Karen’s cancer journey, Karen and Jerry became involved in Dr. Fiorica’s research journey.
While their initial donations supported SMH’s cancer research initiatives, the Kolschowskys decided to broaden their focus to include other medical specialties and clinical education.
“Our personal philosophy is that education informs research, but research also informs education,” said Jerry. “It works both ways, and you can’t really do one without the other.”
Dr. Fiorica connected the couple with Richard Brown, M.D., medical director at SMH’s Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute, and other leaders about developing programs. Later, the couple met with the Healthcare Foundation, asking, “How can we help?”
“Their support has been strategic and purposeful,” Sarasota Memorial Health Care System President and CEO David Verinder said.
“Over the years, their donations have helped SMH expand its education and research team and participate in groundbreaking studies that bring new technologies, new specialists and the latest treatment options to our community.”
Opening in 2025, Sarasota Memorial’s Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute will be a state-of-the-art training and research center that expands research and training opportunities for physicians and clinicians caring for patients throughout the region. In addition to supporting clinical trials and research studies, the Kolschowsky Institute will offer a range of education programs, including a state-of-the-art simulation center that expands hands-on training opportunities for physicians, nurses and students mastering new treatments and technologies.
“We are beyond grateful for Kolschowskys’ generosity,” said Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation President Stacey Corley. “Their gift is a wonderful example of how the relationship between a physician and a grateful patient can translate into an initiative that will benefit our community well into the future.”
The Kolschowskys typically prefer to give anonymously but agreed to lend their name to the new facility to demonstrate their unwavering trust in SMH to meet its goals. Their hope is to inspire other philanthropists to fund SMH research initiatives and clinical advances.
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