Veterans and city officials gathered Friday to rededicate the WWI Memorial moved to McCulloch Park, which has been on the fenced-in grounds of nearby General Electric for 89 years. The memorial was erected on Nov. 11, 1924, in honor of the 748 FortFORT WAYNE – Parkview Foundations announced the acceptance of a $1 million gift Tuesday to be used for a new building at the Parkview Regional Medical Center.
In honor of the gift, made by the Mirro Family Foundation, Parkview will name the building The Mirro Family Research and Education Center. The gift is the largest in the Parkview Foundations’ history.
In 2010, the Allen County Plan Commission approved the construction of a new two-story, 67,000-square-foot building to be located at the northwest corner of Dupont and Diebold roads. At the time, many lauded the move as a positive step for economic development.
Parkview officials don’t know when they will be breaking ground on the building, which could cost up to $14 million.
The vision of The Mirro Family Research and Education Center is to support medical partnerships and in-depth investigation into heart diseases, oncology, radiation oncology, neurological conditions, orthopedics and a number of other treatments and practices, according to officials.
Officials said the center will be one of a kind in Indiana, since it will conduct research on its own without serving as an extension of a college or university. The center will include office space and a meeting room that can seat up to 500 people. Physicians at the center will conduct research in collaboration with others at institutions such as Indiana University, Duke University, Harvard University and Cleveland Clinic.
Jeanne Mirro, president of the Mirro Family Foundation, along with Dr. Michael Mirro and their children Emily, Katie and Megan, committed funds to this center through the Mirro Family Foundation in honor of Dr. Michael Mirro.
Michael Mirro is a cardiologist at the Parkview Physicians Group-Cardiology and medical director at the Parkview Research Center, according to Parkview officials. He has been involved with research at Parkview for the past 25 years and been with the hospital for the past 31 years.
He also teaches and serves as a mentor for college and medical students, nurses and medical residents and has been a driving force behind the Midwest Alliance for Healthcare Education, officials said.
“The energy and passion of Dr. Mirro is a catalyst for growth and innovation throughout our region,” Mike Packnett, president and CEO of Parkview Health, said in a prepared statement. “His efforts and support will contribute to significant enhancement of patient care within our community as well as elevating standards of patient care throughout the medical community world-wide.”
Michael Mirro said he was excited about the economic development and other opportunities the center would provide. Once staffed, he said the center would provide several high-paying jobs for skilled medical professionals.
