Washington, Nov 19 (IANS): An Indian American physician couple has donated $2 million to set up an endowed chair for advancing cardiac imaging programme at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Sanghvi, who has been an active member in Cincinnati's medical community since 1966, is the first American of Asian Indian origin to endow a chair position at the University of Cincinnati.

The Drs. Vijay and Khushman Sanghvi Endowed Chair in Cardiac Imaging (the Sanghvi Chair) will support a faculty member dedicated to the advanced cardiac imaging programme, the Cincinnati, Ohio based institution announced.

Sanghvi served as medical director from 1971 to 1990 for the division of cardiology at Jewish Hospital, where he was responsible for introducing what now represents the core techniques used in the cardiology field.

"It has been a thrill to witness the evolution and dramatic growth of what we refer to today as modern cardiology resulting in significant improvements for cardiovascular disease-related outcomes," said Sanghvi.

Now an adjunct professor of clinical medicine within the division of cardiovascular health and disease at UC, Sanghvi in early 2012, endowed UC's Mind-Body Interface in Health and Healing Lectureship..

Sanghvi received postgraduate training at McMaster University and Queen's University, both in Ontario, after receiving a medical degree from Gujarat University, India.

Thomas Boat, Christian R. Holmes Professor, dean of the UC College of Medicine and UC vice president for health affairs, said Sanghvi's "generous gift will ensure that the cardiac imaging programme at UC will continue to grow and be successful in years to come."

"I'm delighted to be the first American of Asian Indian origin to endow this position in a city and institution that has been a part of so many historical firsts," Sanghvi said.