Manu and Rika Shah Make Transformational Gift to Providence St. Jude Memorial Foundation to Establish the Shah Happiness Center for Cardiovascular Health
Providence St. Jude Memorial Foundation is pleased to announce a transformational philanthropic gift from Manu and Rika Shah to establish the Shah Happiness Center for Cardiovascular Health. The largest outright cash gift to support the medical center, this significant investment will expand and enhance cardiovascular services, allowing the medical center to meet the rising demand for advanced cardiovascular care.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Orange County and across the United States. With cardiovascular disease projected to increase by 60% nationally by 2050, the Shahs’ generous contribution will enable Providence St. Jude to remain at the forefront of innovation, prevention and treatment.
For Manu Shah, this gift is deeply personal. After surviving two life-threatening heart attacks, he has received expert cardiac care at Providence St. Jude for the past 25 years. “St. Jude saved my life,” said Shah. “Their care has been a constant in my journey, and this gift is our way of giving back to the place that gave us so much—especially time. Time to watch my children grow, time with my grandchildren and time to live fully.”
“This remarkable gift speaks to the Shahs’ deep commitment to giving back,” said Dub Drees, chief philanthropy officer, Providence St. Jude Memorial Foundation. “Their extraordinary generosity reflects not only a personal connection to our work, but a desire to lift others in a lasting way. We are honored to partner with them in advancing the health and well-being of our community.”
The Shah Happiness Center for Cardiovascular Health will support five high-impact focus areas that are vital to advancing heart health in our community. These include preventative cardiology care, lifesaving technology, community health programs, caregiver education, and recovery and rehabilitation. These initiatives will strengthen access to care, improve outcomes and accelerate the adoption of innovative treatment methods for complex cardiovascular conditions.
“Both Manu and I come from humble beginnings, but we were blessed with a family that instilled in us the values of hard work, resilience and generosity,” said Rika Shah. “Success was never just about what we could achieve—it was about how we could uplift others along the way. Giving back in a meaningful way is our way of honoring those values and ensuring that every family, regardless of their circumstances, has access to that same level of care.”
“We are deeply grateful for the Shah Family’s generosity,” said Laura Ramos, chief executive, Providence St. Jude Medical Center. “From the beginning, philanthropy has allowed us to make critical improvements, build nationally recognized services and create exceptional outcomes. The Shah Family’s gift will enable St. Jude to remain at the forefront of cardiac care now and for generations to come.”
Manu and Rika Shah are the co-founders of MSI, a global enterprise with more than 3,000 employees across North America and India. From humble beginnings in their home’s basement, the Shahs built one of the largest natural stone and surfaces companies in the world, all while upholding values of fairness, service and social responsibility.
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