A Gift of Breath and a Call to Transform Care
A $1 million donation from Eliza and Hugh Culverhouse Jr. will expand a specialized clinic and support research into complex respiratory conditions.
When Hugh Culverhouse Jr. developed a persistent, deep cough, he initially dismissed it as a cold or allergies. But the symptoms did not resolve. They escalated. Thick mucus, relentless fatigue and a steep decline in endurance pointed to something far more serious.
Like many patients with rare pulmonary diseases, he moved from specialist to specialist, receiving treatments that missed the underlying cause and often left him worse.
In December 2025, Culverhouse finally found answers at UHealth — University of Miami Health System’s Bronchiectasis and Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Clinic, led by renowned pulmonologist Lisa Domaradzki, M.D. Through comprehensive, specialized testing, Dr. Domaradzki, an assistant professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, diagnosed him with bronchiectasis and NTM pulmonary disease, and the exact strain driving the infection. That specificity unlocked targeted, life-changing treatment.
“I was relieved to finally have answers, but it shouldn’t have taken this long,” said Culverhouse. “Too many people are treated for the wrong condition while the disease progresses. No one should have to go through what I did.”
In gratitude, Culverhouse and his wife, Eliza, recently made a $1 million gift to the Miller School, establishing the Culverhouse Bronchiectasis and NTM Endowment. Under the direction of Dr. Domaradzki, this donation will be used to advance care, research and awareness for bronchiectasis and NTM pulmonary disease.
Specialized Care for Complex Pulmonary Disease
Bronchiectasis, which is marked by irreversible airway dilation, thickening and scarring, remains widely under recognized. Nontuberculous mycobacteria are environmental organisms found in water and soil that can cause chronic lung infection. The disease is frequently missed because symptoms are nonspecific and overlap with more common conditions. Even when recognized, treatment is complex, prolonged and requires multidisciplinary care.
“Many of our patients arrive after years of referrals and second opinions, still without a clear diagnosis. His case was very much the same,” said Dr. Domaradzki, director of the Bronchiectasis and NTM Clinic, which was recently designated as a Bronchiectasis and NTM Clinical Associate Center, a testament to its dedication to excellence in patient care.
By the time Culverhouse reached UHealth, his health had declined. Intensive, targeted treatment began immediately. Soon after starting IV and oral antibiotics, his trajectory shifted. The cough eased. Energy returned. Oxygen levels improved, restoring both physical stamina and mental clarity.
“Within a week, I felt better,” he said. “I haven’t coughed in months. My oxygen levels are normal. I know I’m going to be well.”
A follow-up CT scan confirmed the significant improvement he felt. Culverhouse was no longer declining. He was recovering.
He credits Dr. Domaradzki and her team not only for their expertise, but for their unwavering, hands-on care throughout a complex and demanding treatment course.
“She’s an exceptional physician, brilliant and deeply empathetic,” he said. “She makes sure you understand everything, and she’s with you every step of the way. And her team is just as strong. They’re highly skilled, highly coordinated. More people need to know this level of care exists.”
National Recognition for Advanced Pulmonary Care
The UHealth clinic is also a part of the Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network, a national consortium advancing diagnosis, treatment and research for some of the most complex pulmonary infections. As a nationally recognized center, the clinic delivers fully integrated, multidisciplinary care, bringing together specialists across ENT, thoracic surgery and gastroenterology alongside dietitians, social workers, pharmacists and nurses.
Advanced diagnostics allow clinicians to identify the exact organism and tailor therapy with precision. This is essential, since NTM is not a single disease but a group of infections, each requiring a distinct therapeutic strategy. Without precise identification, treatment often fails and the disease progresses, sometimes irreversibly.
“This is not routine pulmonary care,” said Dr. Domaradzki. “It requires a highly coordinated, specialized approach. Mycobacterium is everywhere. But when it becomes invasive, very few centers are equipped to treat it.”
Even after diagnosis, care remains complex. Treatment often requires more than a year of IV, oral and inhaled antibiotics. Many are not specifically FDA-approved, which creates logistical, financial and systemic barriers. Coordination across home health services, specialty pharmacies and laboratories adds further complexity.
Philanthropy Driving Research and Access
The Culverhouse endowment strengthens the infrastructure behind this care, supporting the nurses, pharmacists and coordinators who manage prolonged, high-acuity treatment for hundreds of patients. It will also expand research to accelerate therapies toward FDA approval, improving both access and outcomes.
Equally important, the gift will elevate awareness.
“Our goal is to shorten the time to diagnosis and expand access to specialty care” said Dr. Domaradzki. “The more we educate physicians and the public, the faster patients can reach the care they deserve and the less they suffer.”
For Culverhouse, the gift reflects both gratitude and a responsibility he feels to help others.
“This gift allows us to extend our impact, expanding access to earlier diagnoses, more effective treatment and better outcomes for patients who need it most,” said Dipen J. Parekh, M.D., CEO of UHealth, who is also executive vice president for health affairs at the University of Miami, founding director of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute, the inaugural Magnier Endowed Chair in Urology and the Victor A. Politano Endowed Chair in Urology. “We’re incredibly grateful for the support of the Culverhouse family.”
Culverhouse said his family’s support is a strategic effort to change the trajectory of disease, so more patients find answers sooner, begin the right treatment earlier and have a real chance to recover.
“I’m deeply grateful to Mr. Culverhouse for his trust in our team and in this institution,” said Dr. Domaradzki. “His generosity reflects a real commitment to patients facing the same challenges, but without the same access to care.”
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Tags: Bronchiectasis and Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Clinic, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Dr. Lisa Domaradzki, Eliza and Hugh Culverhouse, philanthropy