“There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow.” That observation by Success magazine founder Orison Swett Marden sums up the vision of Shoshana and Leroy Schecter. The Schecters, already supportive of the Miller School of Medicine, have just committed $2 million to support the school’s ambitious plans to elevate health care and research.

“Thanks to the Schecters’ vision and generosity, the Miller School of Medicine will continue its quest toward world-class medicine,” says Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., senior vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Miller School of Medicine. “Their magnanimous gift has enabled us to recruit an outstanding physician-scientist, Joshua M. Hare, M.D.”

Hare, a Johns Hopkins University cardiologist who is pioneering the use of stem cell therapy to repair damaged hearts, has been named chief of the Division of Cardiology and director of the new Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute at the Miller School of Medicine. He will begin in January 2007.

“Under the direction of Dr. Hare, the new stem cell institute will be one of the finest, safest, and most advanced institutes in the nation, reshaping the medical campus and dramatically improving the way we deliver care,” says Goldschmidt.

The Schecters’ relationship with the Miller School started in 1989 with a patient experience that Shoshana had with Patricia Byers, M.D., assistant professor of surgery. When the Schecters established a more permanent presence in Miami a couple of years ago, Shoshana became reacquainted with Byers and started to support her research efforts. The Schecters quickly demonstrated an interest in helping to improve health care delivery at the Miller School. “We love the bold vision the Miller School of Medicine has for the future,” says Shoshana. “We believe every patient deserves the very best care and the most innovative and dedicated thinkers seeking cures.”

The Schecters have both shown their mettle serving their countries; Leroy, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, served for two years in World War II, while Shoshana, born in Israel, served four years in the Israeli army.

After World War II, Leroy started his business enterprises with one small shop in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. As a budding entrepreneur, Leroy founded American Strip Steel, Norbert Trucking, and later acquired Ware Industries. Under his direction, these companies became known as some of the leading manufacturers in the metal framing and building industry.

Deeply philanthropic and with a great passion for helping people, the couple founded The Leroy Schecter Family Foundation in 2001 as a vehicle to give back to the community.

“We have been extremely lucky in our lives,” says Leroy. “This is what I call grace. We would like to share this grace with other families, and we hope that by making this gift many lives will be blessed in the same way as we were.”