Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in America.
In Kentucky, it accounts for close to 75% of all deaths. Moving forward, the CII and our award-winning research team will play an increasingly crucial role in the health of current and future generations, and the discoveries that come out of the institute will change lives forever
In 2003 the University of Louisville and Jewish Hospital partnered to create the Cardiovascular Innovation Institute (CII). This groundbreaking research center brings together the finest minds in the field with the goal of improving the quality of life for patients with cardiovascular disease. The CII builds on the success of both organizations' previous efforts to combat heart disease and heart failure through the development of ventricular assist devices, artificial hearts, and much more. Initial funding to construct the facility and to support research was provided by Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare, the University of Louisville, Kosair Charities, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and the Department of Commercialization and Innovation, the Gheens Foundation, and federal appropriations.
The building, opened in January 2007, includes innovative research labs, operating rooms, medical imaging facilities, intensive care, monitoring facilities, and the latest diagnostic equipment; plus training areas, administrative offices, and conferences rooms.
The main goal of the Cardiovascular Innovation Institute is to foster a world-class collaborative, integrated, multi-disciplinary enterprise encompassing basic, translational, clinical, and population research in cardiovascular disease, which affects individuals throughout their entire lifespan, from pre-natal life to death. This is also the goal of the National Institutes of Health and has been identified as the most important area of medical research for the next decade.
In 2019, the University of Louisville became the sole owner of the CII.