A $6 million gift by automotive dealer Joseph O. Serra and his wife, Julie, to McLaren Flint is expected to transform cardiac care for future patients.
Serra, chairman of the Serra Automotive Group in Fenton, which has 62 dealerships in seven states representing 27 brands, is a former patient who has endured a heart attack, multiple stents, and quintuple bypass surgery. Now, he and Julie are advocating for others and investing in the very care that saved his life.
“Most people assume I went out of the area for care, but I didn’t ― and I’m glad I didn’t,” says Serra. “I cannot overstate how Julie and I walked in to meet with my cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. (Sanjay) Batra, with many concerns, and left completely at ease. Once it was time for surgery, everyone was so professional, polite, and communicated with us in a way we could understand. I had an exceptional experience with everyone I encountered.”
In 2012, McLaren Flint elevated its cardiac services by recruiting multiple physicians to join the medical staff, who had obtained their skills in cardiothoracic surgery at the world’s top training programs. The program has continued to advance since.
“The program now in place is a team approach and every aspect of it has to be at the highest level,” says Batra, a fellowship-trained cardiothoracic surgeon and medical director of the hospital’s Cardiothoracic Services Program. “With Joe and Julie’s gift, the few remaining pieces to complete the additional care we want to bring to patients will be possible.”
Those remaining pieces include a very specialized program known as ECMO, which encompasses highly trained staff and equipment that provide life support for individuals with severe heart or lung failure.
This alone will benefit patients throughout Michigan. In addition, the gift will allow for already-underway renovations in the cath lab, a unique clinic for treating high cholesterol and triglycerides, enhanced cardiac rehabilitation services for patients’ long-term health, and much more.
“McLaren Flint has been a recognized destination for cardiac care for decades,” says Chris Candela, president and CEO of McLaren Flint. “But both Joe and Julie’s philanthropy, and their openness about their experience here, will change and save lives for future patients. When patients share their praise, or donate generously like the Serra’s, it’s the biggest compliment for our incredible team and a true reflection of the quality of care provided.”
