A Double Miracle: How a Life‑Saving Neurosurgery Led to an Endowed Chair at UHealth
The Codina Kadre Endowed Chair in Neurological Surgery honors Dr. Robert Starke’s lifesaving care, pioneering cerebrovascular innovation and commitment to advancing outcomes for patients with complex neurological disease.
Front row, from left: Armando Codina, Dr. Robert Starke, Manny Kadre
Thanks to extraordinary generosity of two prominent South Florida families, and in the hope of finding new ways to detect and treat complex neurological disease, the Codina Kadre Endowed Chair in Neurological Surgery honoring academic excellence, clinical innovation and a “double miracle” was presented to Robert Starke, M.D., professor of neurological surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
The chair, one of the highest distinctions in academic medicine, was awarded to Dr. Starke during a special ceremony at UHealth Doral Medical Center. It was created thanks to a $5 million commitment from Manny Kadre, chair of the University of Miami Board of Trustees, and Armando Codina, founder and executive chairman of Codina Partners, in partnership with Kollective Auto Group, in gratitude for Dr. Starke’s lifesaving care.
A Family’s Miracle
During the ceremony, Armando Codina recounted when his daughter, Ali Codina, suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm, followed a month later by a second, life-threatening rupture.
The skilled and swift intervention of Dr. Starke and a multidisciplinary team at UHealth — University of Miami Health System, guided her through the two health crises, proving that compassion is as vital as clinical skill.
This care was delivered in close collaboration with Jackson Health System, UHealth’s primary teaching hospital and longstanding clinical partner. Together, physicians, nurses and multidisciplinary teams across both institutions provide coordinated, high-acuity care, combining advanced surgical expertise with exceptional bedside nursing and support throughout every stage of treatment and recovery.
For patients like Codina, that coordinated approach, led by Dr. Starke, made all the difference.
“This is a doctor who’s not just satisfied with saving lives. He goes further by trying to find ways to identify aneurysms before they happen to prevent trauma and suffering,” said Ali Codina, who is a documentary film producer and director. “I am thankful I was treated not only by Dr. Starke, but within the context of an academic medical center that is about innovation and collaboration.”
Honoring Leadership That Changes Lives
Joseph J. Echevarria, University of Miami president and CEO and UHealth president, reaffirmed the institution’s mission to teach, discover and heal.
In thanking the Codina and Kadre families for making that mission possible, Echevarria said, “Tonight, we honor Dr. Starke, a faculty member who truly does all three.”
Dipen J. Parekh, M.D., CEO of UHealth, executive vice president for health affairs at the University of Miami and the Magnier Endowed Chair in Urology at the Miller School, emphasized that the endowed chair will strengthen UHealth’s leadership in cerebrovascular care, fueling discovery, attracting top talent and improving outcomes for patients facing complex neurological disease.
He described Dr. Starke as the embodiment of the ideal physician-scientist.
“He shows the art of the possible in a world where so many things seem impossible,” said Dr. Parekh, who is also the founding director of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute and the Victor A. Politano Endowed Chair in Urology.
Advancing Care and What Comes Next
In accepting the honor, Dr. Starke expressed gratitude to mentors, colleagues, friends and the families whose generosity fuels a broader vision.
“This is a strong team effort and a reflection of being surrounded by so many amazing people,” said Dr. Starke, co-director of the endovascular fellowship and endovascular neurosurgery at the Miller School. “We have a responsibility not only to the patients in front of us, but to those who will need better treatments in the future.”
Dr. Starke performs more than 700 operations annually, treating some of the most complex conditions in medicine, including cerebrovascular disease and brain tumors. He is also advancing research to better understand vascular abnormalities and translate those insights into safer, more precise treatments.
Allan Levi, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery and the Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Endowed Chair in Neurological Surgery at the Miller School, highlighted Dr. Starke’s rare, dual expertise in open brain surgery and minimally invasive endovascular techniques, reducing risk and accelerating recovery.
“He represents the very best of academic neurosurgery — technical mastery, innovation and unwavering commitment to patients,” said Dr. Levi. “This honor reflects not only his achievements, but the lives he has changed and will continue to change.”
As the ceremony concluded, Joel H. Samuels, J.D., UM executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, praised Dr. Starke and thanked the Codina and Kadre families for their generosity.
“This extraordinary gift advances patient care, drives discovery and educates the next generation,” said Samuels. “With Dr. Starke’s leadership and the support of our partners, the future of neurosurgery at UHealth and the Miller School is exceptionally bright.”
In addition to creating this endowed chair in neurological surgery, Kadre also created the Kadre Family Innovation and Education Endowment, which will accelerate research and education at the Desai Sethi Urology Institute to honor the work of his friend, Dr. Parekh.
UHealth CEO Dr. Dipen J. Parekh was awarded the Magnier Endowed Chair in Urology, one of the highest honors in academic medicine.
Drs. Juan Dominguez‑Bendala and Dirk Homann were recognized for their pioneering type 1 diabetes research.
The honor recognizes Dr. Levi’s impactful research on cellular transplantation strategies and neuroprotective treatments.
The Institute’s commitment to excellence in eye care, scientific research and medical education is supported by its donors’ generosity. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute held a chair dedication ceremony Jan. 14 to recognize 12 distinguished faculty members who achieved the distinction of an endowed chair, the highest honor awarded at a research university. Bascom Palmer’s worldwide…
Tags: aneurysm, Department of Neurological Surgery, Dr. Dipen Parekh, Dr. Robert Starke, endovascular neurosurgery, endowed chair, Manny Kadre, neurological surgery