On Monday, Dec. 13, the University of South Florida announced a $5 million gift made by Naples philanthropist Timothy Ubben in November to create the Ubben Family Center for Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Sadly, that night he passed away at the age of 84.

Sharon and Timothy Ubben with Dr. Jose D. Herazo-Maya.

Housed in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the center will increase research to fight pulmonary fibrosis, a disease that causes lung scarring.

Through the final year of his personal battle with pulmonary fibrosis, Ubben wanted to help future patients have better options for fighting the condition. In February, USF announced Ubben’s first gift of $1 million to establish the Ubben Family Pulmonary Research Laboratory, led by Dr. Jose D. Herazo-Maya, associate chief of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine and director of the Ubben Program for Pulmonary Fibrosis Research in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

“Pulmonary fibrosis doesn’t get popular support or much research funding,” Ubben said in November. “I probably won’t be around to benefit from the results of Dr. Herazo’s research, but hopefully other pulmonary fibrosis patients will. I want him to find the cure, and I want him to do it at USF Health.”

Herazo began caring for Ubben as his pulmonologist in Naples, and he continued providing care after he moved to Tampa to join USF in January 2021.

“Mr. Ubben was a wonderful friend, and it is humbling to receive such support to lead this critical research,” Herazo said. “Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating disease, and Mr. Ubben’s generous gift will help us better understand its root causes so we can expedite the discovery of new tests and treatments.”

“We are saddened by the news of Mr. Ubben’s passing,” said Dr. Charles Lockwood, USF Health senior vice president and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine. “We will do our best to honor his generosity and legacy as we work to find new therapies for pulmonary fibrosis patients.”

“It is inspiring how even while he was dealing with his own health challenges, Mr. Ubben was determined to help future patients through his philanthropy,” USF Foundation CEO Jay Stroman said. “We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, family and friends.”

Ubben founded Lincoln Capital Management, a successful Chicago-based investment firm, in 1967. Since retiring in 1999, he dedicated his time, resources and expertise in board leadership to nonprofit and educational organizations.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the USF Ubben Pulmonary Fibrosis Fund at usf.to/ubben or by calling Arty Giallourakis at 813-974-3676.

The gift will fund USF Health research into pulmonary fibrosis

TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 17, 2021) — The University of South Florida announced Feb 17, 2021, a $1 million gift to the USF Foundation that will fund research to detect and prevent severe lung scarring. Philanthropist Timothy Ubben made the gift to support research at USF led by his doctor, Jose D. Herazo-Maya, USF Health’s newly appointed associate chief of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine.

“We can make a powerful impact when patients and physicians unite to bring big ideas to reality,” USF President Steve Currall said. “This generous gift will help the University of South Florida advance innovative testing and treatment of the toughest cases of devastating lung conditions, ultimately saving lives.”

“We are delighted with this confluence of vision, talent and philanthropy,” said Dr. Charles Lockwood, USF Health senior vice president and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine. “The timing of Mr. Ubben’s gift is helping us to rapidly launch this important research to fight devastating lung conditions.”

Ubben founded Lincoln Capital Management, a successful Chicago-based investment firm, in 1967. Since retiring in 1999, he has dedicated his time, resources and expertise in board leadership to nonprofit and educational organizations.

“I have been discouraged in the lack of progress in alleviating pulmonary fibrosis in patients,” said Ubben. “This funding will support research to better understand and find assistance in the fight against this disease.”

“Certain patients with lung scarring can live well for years while others develop disease exacerbations and die quickly from the disease,” said Dr. Herazo, who also described Ubben as a good friend. “Tim is intellectually curious and has good knowledge about medical research and clinical trials — I enjoy talking with him about science and ways to improve disease.”

While at Yale, Dr. Herazo served on a team that discovered a gene signature in blood that predicted mortality from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). He now leads a USF Health research team working to develop a blood test based on gene expression that will help identify patients at risk of severe disease before they clinically deteriorate.

“Mr. Ubben’s generous gift is providing hope and momentum in the fight against pulmonary disease,” said USF Foundation CEO Jay Stroman. “The potential benefit this donor-funded research could have on health care systems everywhere is astounding.”

Dr. Herazo, who joined USF Health last month, is already putting Ubben’s gift to work as he outfits the Ubben Family Pulmonary Research Laboratory in the new USF Health Heart Institute space in downtown Tampa. He is building a research team including other USF physician scientists, biostatisticians, clinical and basic scientists.