Baptist Health Foundation Announces Historic $100 Million Gift from Dr. Herbert Wertheim

Baptist Health Foundation today announced the largest single philanthropic gift in the 66-year history of Baptist Health South Florida: a $100 million donation from internationally recognized optometric physician, inventor, entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr. Herbert “Herbie” Wertheim.

The historic gift will advance cancer care, research, prevention, education and innovation across Baptist Health. In recognition of Dr. Wertheim’s generosity, Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute will be renamed the Baptist Health Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute.

The gift also establishes the Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute Transformational Impact Fund, a $100 million designated fund created to provide long-term support for the Institute’s growth, clinical excellence, research priorities and innovative models of care.

“We are profoundly grateful to Dr. Wertheim for this historic gift, which will transform cancer care for generations,” said Bo Boulenger, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “His commitment to excellence in care, as well as advancing medical innovation and education, aligns deeply with our mission. This investment will strengthen our ability to deliver world-class cancer care, expand access to groundbreaking research, and position us as a national leader in oncology.”

Advancing Cancer Research, Prevention and Innovation

A major focus of the gift will be expanding Baptist Health’s academic and research partnership with the Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. The investment will create new opportunities for medical students, residents and postdoctoral researchers, while strengthening collaboration among clinicians, researchers and the academic community.

The gift will also establish the Dr. Herbert Wertheim Center for Cancer Prevention, focused on preventative oncology through genomic risk assessment, early detection, screening technologies and community-based prevention initiatives.

A substantial portion of the gift will support the Institute’s aspiration to achieve National Cancer Institute designation by strengthening research infrastructure, expanding clinical trials, supporting faculty recruitment and accelerating scientific discovery.

A New Era for Cancer Care in South Florida

Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute opened in 2017 and has grown into one of Florida’s largest cancer programs, known for its multidisciplinary expertise, advanced technologies, pioneering research and patient-first approach.

The Institute is powered by more than 130 physicians and researchers, including internationally renowned oncologists, sub-specialized cancer experts, surgeons, clinical researchers and genomic scientists. It also continues to expand access to advanced cancer treatments and currently offers more than 200 active clinical trials.

“Dr. Wertheim’s extraordinary generosity launches a new era for Baptist Health and the newly named Hebert Wertheim Cancer Institute,” said Leonard Kalman, M.D., acting system chief executive for Baptist Health Cancer Care and acting executive medical director for Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute. “This gift will allow us to accelerate our most ambitious research priorities and advance our goal of expanding clinical trial access to every patient facing a complex cancer diagnosis. Beyond elevating cancer care locally, Dr. Wertheim’s support has the potential to reshape oncology on a global scale. We are deeply honored by his confidence in our mission.”

Integrating Education, Research and Patient Care

For Dr. Wertheim, the gift reflects a lifelong commitment to expanding access to scientific discovery, preventative healthcare, medical innovation and higher education.

“Our vision is to integrate medical education, preventative care, research, and clinical care into a unified environment where discovery and patient care move forward together,” said Dr. Wertheim. “This gift is an investment in a model of healthcare that prioritizes innovation and collaboration, ensuring our future physicians and scientists are equipped to serve South Florida with the highest levels of compassion and knowledge.”

Dr. Wertheim is the founder of Brain Power Incorporated, a Miami-based optical products manufacturer, and a member of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame for his pioneering innovations in optical technology. An internationally recognized healthcare and education philanthropist, he has contributed more than $300 million to Florida higher education over the course of his philanthropic career.

His philanthropic work includes transformative investments in the University of Florida, Florida State University, Florida International University, UC San Diego and other institutions advancing education, medicine, public health, research and the arts.

Dr. Wertheim’s gift to Baptist Health Foundation ranks among the most significant philanthropic contributions of his lifetime and stands as one of the largest healthcare-related philanthropic gifts in Florida.