Gary and Mary West Foundation announces $25M commitment to West Wireless Health Institute

Additional Funding will Support Continued Recruitment of World Class Engineering Talent

The Gary and Mary West Foundation today announced a $25 million commitment to enable the West Wireless Health Institute (WWHI) to amplify its aggressive recruitment of world class engineering talent and accelerate its mission on a national and global scale. The additional funding comes on the heels of a $20 million grant announced last month, and brings the total support provided by the foundation to nearly $100 million since the Institute's inception in March 2009. WWHI is one of the world's first medical research organizations dedicated to lowering the cost of health care by innovating, validating, advocating for, investing in and helping commercialize wireless health solutions. The nonprofit Institute is headquartered in San Diego, California, the global hub for wireless life science research and development.

"California is committed to leading the way in the future of medicine, health and science technology," said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. "We have been laying the groundwork for years to expand this technology in our state which will provide greater access to quality care and help reduce overall health care costs. And, it is partnerships like this one, bringing the best minds and innovators together, that will continue our strong leadership. I applaud the Gary and Mary West Foundation for their generous donations to this industry and to help the West Wireless Health Institute look for ways to improve our quality of life while creating new jobs here in our state."

"The time for a lower cost, infrastructure independent model of care is now," said Mr. West. "It is not only the right moment, but San Diego is the right place for the emergence of the wireless health industry and the creation of this transformative new health care model. Mary and I are dedicated to providing the resources necessary to establish WWHI, and in turn San Diego, as the number one destination for the leading minds in medicine, engineering, science and technology."

"Gary and Mary West have emerged as visionary leaders in our community," said Mayor Jerry Sanders. "Their commitment is spurring an industry that will not only create economic growth for our region, but also establish San Diego as the preeminent place for wireless health research and development.  The West Wireless Health Institute has achieved an impressive list of milestones in its first year, but it's evident the best is yet to come."

"To achieve our mission of lowering health care costs, we must ensure the top engineers and multi-disciplinary  researchers in the U.S. and beyond are developing efficient and effective wireless health solutions," said Don Casey, the Institute's CEO.  "The exceptional generosity of Gary and Mary West will result in significant applied research and development at an unprecedented pace."

The Institute's Engineering department is comprised of an interdisciplinary team of engineers and post-doctoral researchers with expertise in microsystems, bioengineering, analytics and algorithms, biomedical circuitry, nanotechnology, user experience and software design, wireless communications and a variety other specialties.  The team is focused on three core areas: applied research, engineered solutions and advanced training, and works closely with WWHI's clinical staff to strategically address the validation and regulatory approvals required to bring solutions quickly to market.