UCLA receives $2 million gift from the Jivrajka Family Foundation to establish endowed chair

UCLA Health has received a $2 million gift commitment from the Jivrajka Family Foundation to advance specialized cardiovascular discovery and translational research, along with education and outreach.

The endowed chair is foundational to the development of a program in cardiovascular disease prevention in South Asians and other high-risk populations. The South Asian heart program is directed by Dr. Ravi Dave, who has been appointed the inaugural holder of the Jivrajka Family Foundation Chair. Dave is also director of interventional cardiology and the Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program in the UCLA Division of Cardiology.

"UCLA Health and the David Geffen School of Medicine are grateful for the generosity and vision of the Jivrajka Family Foundation and its president, Dr. Vinod Jivrajka," said Dr. Steven Dubinett, dean of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. "Their visionary support will improve cardiovascular health, care and quality of life for at-risk populations."

Individuals of South Asian descent are more likely to develop risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol, earlier in life than other population groups and are estimated to face heart disease up to a decade sooner. South Asians account for more than half of cardiovascular deaths worldwide.

The Jivrajka Family Foundation Chair helps UCLA Health increase access to care and develop culturally informed strategies to more effectively reach high-risk communities.

"This chair supports the division's efforts to develop individualized approaches to high-risk populations with coronary artery disease and other cardiovascular conditions; build a research team to better understand the genetic and environmental factors contributing to cardiovascular disease in at-risk populations; and develop targeted cardiovascular therapies including holistic approaches," said Dr. Priscilla Hsue, chief of the division of cardiology. "I am delighted that Dr. Dave is leading these efforts."

"I am honored by the trust the Jivrajka family has placed in UCLA Health," Dave said. "Their determination to improve the cardiovascular health within at-risk communities is enabling us to deliver care where it is needed most."

The Jivrajka Family Foundation, founded in 2024 by Drs. Jayashree and Vinod Jivrajka, reflects a lifelong commitment to medicine and service. The couple, who were born and educated in Mumbai, India, pursued medical careers before moving to the United States.

Vinod, an interventional cardiologist and health care entrepreneur, founded Episource LLC and co-founded AppleCare Medical Group, which he led for two decades. Jayashree, an internist, shares the family's passion for improving access to care.

"It gives us great pride to be able to support UCLA Health's mission to expand, disseminate and apply knowledge for global betterment of health: education, research and public service," Vinod Jivrajka said. "We appreciate the dedication of Dr. Dave and his team and their ability to bring access to and improve care of high-risk communities."

The Jivrajkas are closely connected to UCLA, where their three children completed their higher education. Amita (Ramesh) graduated in 2001; Neil, in 2011; and Renu (fellowship in glaucoma at UCLA Stein Eye Institute), in 2014.