Kelly family training the next generation of heart specialists

This story originally appeared in the Summer 2022 edition of Promise magazine.

Talk about generosity from the heart.

Brothers Jim, Bob and Ray Kelly are carrying on the tradition of giving back to the community created by their late parents, William and Ruth Kelly.

William, who founded Bil-Jac in 1947 with his brother, Jack, served as a longtime board member for Highland Local Schools, and together with Ruth provided funds for scholarships and educational programs in the community.

In 2019, the Kelly brothers gave a gift to Summa Health from the William and Ruth Kelly Foundation to support cardiology fellows who are training to become the next generation of heart specialists.

Jim Kelly was inspired by the care of Dr. Roger Chaffee, chair of the Summa Health Heart and Vascular Institute, after spending a day shadowing him.

This year, the Kelly family made an additional gift in support of the Institute in honor of Dr. Chaffee.

“With the faithful support of the William and Ruth Kelly Foundation, we will continue to inspire, educate and train future heart specialists. We thank the Kelly family from the bottom of our hearts,” said Dr. Chaffee. 

For additional opportunities to support the Summa Health Heart and Vascular Institute, contact Jessica Hudson at 330.375.4762 or hudsonj@summahealth.org.