Cleveland entrepreneur Monte Ahuja is a classic American success story who came to Ohio from India in 1968 with barely enough money to survive three months.

In December 2006, Mr. Ahuja, his wife, Usha, and their family announced a $30 million gift to University Hospitals – the largest single donation in its 140-year history.

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 600-bed hospital in Beachwood the “Ahuja Medical Center.”

Mr. Ahuja is vice chairman of the UH Board of Directors and led the Board task force that developed Vision 2010. He also is chairman and chief executive officer of Walton Hills-based Transtar Industries, Inc., the leading worldwide distributor of original equipment quality transmission parts to the motor vehicle repair industry.

“Monte and Usha have generously supported University Hospitals with their time and talents for many years,” says UH Chief Executive Officer Thomas F. Zenty III. “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.

“My family and I are humbled to be recognized for our commitment to UH,” says Mr. Ahuja. “We are also honored and grateful to be in a position to provide this level of support to a project that will make a real difference to the people of Cleveland.”

The Ahujas have two daughters, Ritu and Manisha – who is married to Neil Sethi – and a grandson, Rohan.

EARLY DAYS
Mr. Ahuja’s story is one of hard work, strategy and resolve. Born and raised in Chandigarh, India – north of New Delhi – he earned his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering before immigrating to the United States in 1968. As a financially struggling student, he earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at The Ohio State University in 1970 and an MBA at Cleveland State University in 1975.

“I came to this country with the intention of getting my master’s degree in mechanical engineering and going home to India,” Mr. Ahuja says. “But after a short time in Ohio, I made up my mind to make my life in the U.S.
and adopted this country as my own, especially after I had the great fortune to meet my brilliant and talented wife, Usha.”

A mathematics gold medalist in India, Mrs. Ahuja was also studying at Ohio State, where she earned her PhD in math. After graduation, she taught at the University of Baltimore and later at Kent State University and Cleveland State University, for nearly 20 years, while also raising two children and being a close confidante to her husband. Mrs. Ahuja is currently a member of the UH Board’s Development Committee and regularly participates in discussions with hospital leadership about details of Vision 2010 plans.

Reflecting on his early days, Mr. Ahuja comments, “Although I had decided to come here, I didn’t know my journey was going to be so difficult and tumultuous.”

After obtaining his master’s at OSU, he was unable to find a job due to visa requirements. Instead, he was accepted into PhD program with a research grant that enabled him to continue his life in Columbus. Unfortunately, the research grant was cancelled halfway through the program and he found himself facing the prospect of going back home.