Pepin Heart Hospital & Dr. Kiran C. Patel Research Institute

In 1986, family patriarch Arthur "Pep" Pepin (Art Pepin) awaited a heart transplant. It was a critical situation made even more difficult 500 miles away from home. After Pep received his new heart from a 26-year-old donor, he and his family gratefully returned to Tampa and focused their substantial philanthropic interests on making the most advanced heart health care available right here at home. The founder of Pepin Distributing Company and a Tampa community leader for decades, Pep put his money where his heart was and started his living legacy by making a $1 million pledge to help University Community Hospital Foundation create the momentum needed to open the Pepin Heart & Vascular Institute.

Now known as the Pepin Heart Hospital & Dr. Kiran C. Patel Research Institute, it is the most advanced specialty, digital hospital in the Southeast and has emerged as a leader in cardiovascular care.

Today, Pep's four children; Tom, Jill, James Paul and Pam generously support the Pepin Heart Hospital. Tom Pepin (Thomas Pepin) has ensured that his father's legacy continues. Tom Pepin and the Pepin Family Foundation have pledged an additional $2 million to take Pepin Heart Hospital to the next level of cardiovascular excellence.

The team at Pepin Heart Hospital has performed over 100,000 catheterizations, more than 10,000 open-heart surgeries and has introduced treatments available only through clinical trials to foster better outcomes. With the momentum generated by the generous pledge from the Pepin Family Foundation, Pepin Heart Hospital will continue to set a standard in health care.

To learn more about Pepin Heart Hospital, please visit www.pepinheart.org

Tom Pepin (Thomas Pepin) | Pepin Heart Hospital