About the Center

Bringing Innovation from The Lab to The Clinic

Steven M. Strauss and Lise N. Wilson Center for Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy, a serious cardiac condition which often goes undiagnosed, is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 500 people in the U.S. And it may affect as many as 1 in 200 people.

The Steven M. Strauss and Lise N. Wilson Center for Cardiomyopathy was established in 2021 with a gift of $3.25 million from Steven M. Strauss and Lise N. Wilson to research the condition and ultimately find better ways of preventing, identifying and treating cardiomyopathy. The couple also created a match to raise an additional $1.75 million, for a total of $5 million to support the center. The challenge was successfully met in late 2023.

Supported by this generous philanthropy, the Strauss Wilson Center for Cardiomyopathy will host its inaugural Cardiomyopathy Precision Medicine Symposium in La Jolla, Calif., on May 3, 2024. Learn more at the symposium website.

A Growing Cardiac Concern

Cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of death worldwide. One of these illnesses, cardiomyopathy, is a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. Causes include inherited disease, infection and heart attacks. Discovered in the 1950s, cardiomyopathy affects people of all ages, genders and races. Ultimately, it can lead to heart failure and is a common cause of death, including sudden death.

Cardiomyopathy is also the leading cause of hospitalization at the Cardiovascular Institute at UC San Diego Health, which includes Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center. Funding for the Steven M. Strauss and Lise N. Wilson Center for Cardiomyopathy, an innovative research collaborative dedicated to the treatment of this devastating illness, is essential to help fuel cardiomyopathy research for better treatments, diagnosis and prevention of the condition. Currently, there is no cure. But we believe there can be.

Mission

To Improve the lives of those with cardiomyopathy by:

• Restoring health and wellbeing to those with heart failure from the local community, adjacent areas, and those from around the world who come for outstanding and holistic care.
• Developing critical insights into the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiomyopathy.
• Educating the future generation of clinicians and scientists with a commitment to providing a diverse and inclusive environment for physicians and allied health providers.