The University of Alabama at Birmingham has announced a $95 million commitment from Marnix E. Heersink, a cataract and laser refractive surgeon.

The largest single commitment in university history will name the Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine and provide both endowed and outright funds in support of the school's key initiatives. To that end, the gift will be used to support the school's strategic growth and help recruit and retain scientists and physicians by establishing endowed chairs and professorships in priority areas such as precision medicine and pharmacogenomics, pulmonology, oncology, neurology, health disparities, and immunology. The gift also will establish and name the Marnix E. Heersink Institute of Biomedical Innovation and the Marnix E. Heersink Institute for Biomedical Innovation Endowed Support Fund, which are focused on entrepreneurial healthcare innovation initiatives that foster and facilitate healthcare and socioeconomic transformation; name the Marnix E. Heersink Institute for Biomedical Innovation Conference Center; and establish and name the Mary Heersink Institute for Global Health and the associated Mary Heersink Institute for Global Health Endowed Support Fund, which are dedicated to developing and implementing educational and mentorship programs as well as experiential opportunities for global health trainees and scholars.

In addition to its primary location at the UAB campus, the institute will have a prominent physical presence in the Heersink family's hometown of Dothan, Alabama. Heersink is co-owner and chair of Eye Center South in Dothan, a practice he opened with a partner in 1980 and which now has a total of twelve offices across Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

"I have seen that, in all it does, the school strives for excellence, works to expand its reach, and values collaboration and encompassing diverse backgrounds, voices and talents," said Heersink. "This gift will build on the school's tremendous momentum and enhance its ability to innovate and deliver on the three Es (excellence, expansive, encompassing) in a very strategic way. I look forward to a continued partnership in supporting its life-changing work. Mary and I are so appreciative of the wonderful education UAB has given our family and now also look forward to UAB's increased presence in our hometown of Dothan."

"On behalf of the School of Medicine and all the people we serve across Alabama, the nation, and the world — now and in the years to come — I sincerely thank Dr. Heersink," said Selwyn Vickers, senior vice president of medicine and dean of the School of Medicine. "This act of tremendous generosity reflects his heart for service and the scale of our shared ambition for the UAB School of Medicine to be a global leader in biomedical discovery and innovation, medical training, and patient care. It is a powerful affirmation of the unlimited potential of our school and reinforces what we have always known: that UAB truly is a world-class institution."