A transformational $50 million gift by South Florida philanthropists Tony and Sandra Tamer has established the Tamer Institute for Women’s Health within UHealth – University of Miami Health System and the Miller School of Medicine. The flagship program promises to redefine women’s health by delivering best-in-class, comprehensive, personalized care for women through every stage of life, from adolescence and reproductive years through menopause and beyond, in one location.
The Tamer Institute for Women’s Health comes at a critical time. According to a 2025 report by McKinsey Health Institute, women spend about 25% more time in poor health than men do. Importantly, most of the women’s disease burden comes from conditions that are specific to women, as well as conditions that impact women differently or disproportionately.
“The Tamer Institute will answer an important need in our rapidly growing region,” said UHealth Chief Executive Officer Dipen J. Parekh, M.D., who is also executive vice president for health affairs of the University of Miami, founding director of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute, the Magnier Endowed Chair in Urology and the Victor A. Politano Endowed Chair in Urology. “It will reaffirm UHealth’s commitment to access and better outcomes by offering comprehensive preventive care and expert management of chronic conditions within an integrated system.”
Michael J. Paidas, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, chief of service at UHealth Tower and chief of Women’s Health for Jackson Health System, has been named director of the Tamer Institute for Women’s Health. We asked him about his vision for the Tamer Institute.
How will the Tamer Institute for Women’s Health impact women’s health?
The Tamer Institute addresses the perennial problem of limited specialized health care provider accessibility we are experiencing in our South Florida community, especially as our population ages. Preventive care, chronic disease management and positive health/wellness are central tenets of the institute. Our fully integrated interdisciplinary structure unites all obstetric and gynecologic subspecialties with complementary medical and surgical specialties to foster delivery of truly collaborative, patient-centered care.
How will the Tamer Institute set a new national standard for comprehensive women’s health?
Access to coordinated, specialized services that are tailored to women’s unique health needs is more important than ever. The Tamer Institute for Women’s Health promises to be the most comprehensive center of its kind, redefining how women experience health care and building on the UHealth Comprehensive Women’s Health Alliance led by Dr. Morgan Sendzischew Shane. It will unite leading researchers, physician-scientists and compassionate clinicians who are advancing innovation while caring for the whole woman at every stage of her life.
How will the Tamer Institute serve as a hub for research and education?
The Tamer Institute will be devoted to addressing the most relevant issues impacting health across the entire life course of women. Having clinicians, researchers, educators and learners working closely together in one facility will foster innovation, creativity and the development of the best care models for our patients. Community engagement will be a priority at every step, increasing the likelihood of sustaining positive changes for maintaining and restoring health and wellness for the patients we serve.
What services will the Tamer Institute provide?
It will deliver cutting-edge, evidence-based care across the full spectrum of women’s OB/GYN needs — including complex gynecology, urogynecology, fertility, maternal-fetal medicine and menopause — while seamlessly integrating women-focused specialists in other critical areas of health like primary care, gastroenterology, endocrinology, cardiology, dermatology, mental health and physical therapy, among others. By bringing these disciplines together under one coordinated model, the institute will eliminate fragmentation and alleviate barriers to access and navigation, providing truly holistic, patient-centered care.
Meet the Visionaries
The Tamer Institute for Women’s Health marks the conceptualization of an innovative vision by noted philanthropists Tony and Sandra Tamer to advance and redefine health care for women throughout South Florida today and for generations to come.
“Women deserve care that is designed for them, not adapted to them,” said Sandra Tamer. “The Tamer Institute is unique in that it will provide an accessible, welcoming setting that provides flexible scheduling to align with women’s busy lives and commitments.”
Tony Tamer noted that they are proud to support UHealth in this ambitious effort: “This gift strengthens UHealth’s ability to redefine care, accelerate research and expand education across the full spectrum of conditions that uniquely or disproportionately affect women.”
In addition to creating the Tamer Institute for Women’s Health, the couple’s landmark $50 million gift establishes several endowed funds to support clinical, research and educational programs within the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences.
