Gift in Support of Vision 2010 is the Largest in UH History

University Hospitals celebrated the largest single donation in its 140-year history – a $30 million gift from Cleveland entrepreneur Monte Ahuja, his wife, Usha, and their family. UH President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas F. Zenty III made the historic announcement to more than 700 community leaders, UH physicians, leaders, donors and Board members at UH’s special holiday celebration at Severance Hall.

The unprecedented gift is in support of Vision 2010, UH’s $1.2 billion, five-year strategic plan. In recognition of the Ahuja family’s extraordinary generosity, UH will name the future 200-bed East Side hospital in Beachwood “The Ahuja Medical Center.”

“Monte and Usha have generously supported University Hospitals with their time and talents for many years,” says Mr. Zenty. “Through this gift, Monte and Usha are demonstrating not only their dedication to University Hospitals, but to the economic vitality of this region and to maintaining the highest caliber health care for the people of Northeast Ohio.”

Since UH unveiled the plans for the expanded East Side medical campus and new hospital in May, community leaders have hailed the project as a catalyst for economic growth and an opportunity for Greater Cleveland to reaffirm its national leadership position in the health care industry. Construction of the medical campus is underway at the 53-acre site at the Chagrin Highlands, west of Interstate 271 at the Harvard Road exit – and across the interstate from UH’s existing Chagrin Highlands Health Center.

Mr. Ahuja’s history is one of hard work, strategy and resolve. Born and raised in India, he earned a BS in mechanical engineering before emigrating to the United States in 1969. As a financially struggling student, he earned an MS in mechanical engineering at The Ohio State University in 1970 and an MBA at Cleveland State University.

Upon graduation, Mr. Ahuja established a small distribution company that eventually grew into a global success. Today this business, now known as Transtar Industries Inc., is the leading worldwide distributor of original equipment quality transmission parts to the motor vehicle repair industry. The company – with 35 locations in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico – has annual revenues more than $250 million. In a major restructuring last year, Linsalata Capital Partners acquired a majority stake of Transtar. Mr. Ahuja retained a share of the company and his role as Chairman and CEO.

While in college, Mr. Ahuja met his future wife, Usha. A gold medalist for mathematics in India, Mrs. Ahuja was in the United States obtaining her PhD. She taught mathematics at several universities for nearly 20 years while also serving as a business partner and confidante to her husband. Mrs. Ahuja is currently a member of the UH Board’s Development Committee, and she has been instrumental in coordinating many events that support UH.

Mr. and Mrs. Ahuja have two daughters, Ritu and Manisha – who is married to Neil Sethi – and a grandchild, Rohan.