Heart transplant recipient funds professorship in surgery

Connie and Les LeRoss

UW benefactor Lester M. “Les” LeRoss has something to be especially grateful for this Valentine’s Day: a new heart.

To express their thanks for the donor heart and the care he received at UW Medical Center, LeRoss and his wife Connie have donated $500,000 to the UW School of Medicine, to establish the LeRoss Endowed Professorship in Cardiovascular Surgery.

The LeRosses grew up in Yakima, and now have homes in Seattle and on Whidbey Island. Les LeRoss received a degree in economics from the UW in 1967 and began his career in the computer industry. In 1990 he co-founded Business Enterprises Systems Technology (BEST) Consulting, based in Kirkland, which grew to more than 850 employees in 11 cities by 1997. After the sale of the company and after putting their three children through the UW, the couple retired in September 1997 and began a new phase of their lives, which was to include extensive travel.

However, in November 1997, LeRoss suffered a massive heart attack. A series of health catastrophes followed, culminating in the need for a heart transplant, which was performed in December 1997.

“It is in recognition of the outstanding care I received at UW Medical Center that we make this contribution,” LeRoss said. “Without the equipment, training, dedication and skills of the UWMC medical team, I would not have survived this ordeal. This endowment is intended to continue such development and training.

“It is additionally made with special recognition and thanks to the anonymous donor family who gave me the gift of life,” he said. “Without their generosity under the most difficult circumstances, I would not be alive today. We have been richly blessed in so many ways, and we wish to return a small measure of these blessings.”

LeRoss noted that the gift is also made in memory of his mother, who died at age 44 from complications following open-heart surgery. “Had capabilities similar to those available today at UW Medical Center been available to her, she might still be living,” he said.

“We welcome this generous gift from Lester and Connie LeRoss as a means of recognizing and rewarding excellence in patient care and research,” said Dr. Paul G. Ramsey, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. “We anticipate that the cardiovascular surgeon to be chosen for the LeRoss Endowed Professorship will possess the expertise, dedication and skills that can lead to positive outcomes such as those experienced by Les LeRoss.”

“I was deeply moved when I met Mr. LeRoss and his family,” said Dr. Carlos Pellegrini, professor and chair of the UW Department of Surgery. “This gift provides the Division of Cardiac Surgery with ongoing funding to support research into treatment of end-stage heart disease. It uplifts the morale of those involved in care of patients with these ailments with a constant reminder of a success story and a grateful family full of love for mankind.”

Income from the endowment may be used to provide partial annual compensation to the holder of the professorship, as well as to pay the costs of research or professional activities. ¶

Laurie McHale