Honoring a Surgical Pioneer, Investing in the Future of Vascular Science
Honoring a Surgical Pioneer, Investing in the Future of Vascular Science
“The ultimate goal, as he has stated it, was to ‘put vascular surgeons out of business.’”
It is an unexpected way to describe the career of one of vascular surgery's pioneers, but as Dr. Michael S. Conte explained during the celebration, the quote captures Professor Emeritus Ronald J. Stoney's lifelong belief that scientific discovery should one day prevent disease, improve treatments, and reduce the need for surgery.
That vision was at the center of a June 30th celebration marking the dedication of the Ronald J. Stoney Laboratory and the launch of the Translational Vascular Science Initiative, a collaborative effort between the UCSF Department of Surgery and the Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI) that will expand vascular research across departments and campuses.
"Vascular diseases continue to rise both globally and here in California," said Conte, chief of the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. "Advances in science and technology offer the potential for prevention and better, more precise, and more durable treatments. Our vision is to reduce the burden of vascular disease and improve vascular health for all."
The initiative builds on decades of innovation at UCSF, where one of the nation's first dedicated vascular surgery units helped shape the specialty and the Cardiovascular Research Institute became a leader in cardiovascular discovery. Earlier philanthropic investments established a dedicated vascular research laboratory in 2000, laying the foundation for today's initiative.
A Legacy That Continues to Shape the Specialty
Dr. Stoney's influence on vascular surgery spans generations.
As a member of UCSF's pioneering vascular surgery unit alongside Drs. Jack Wylie, William Ehrenfeld, and Theodore Binkley, he helped advance the field through innovations in aortic and carotid surgery while training future leaders in the specialty. His career includes more than 150 scientific publications, service as president of both the Western Vascular Society and the International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery, and the Society for Vascular Surgery's Lifetime Achievement Award.
His commitment to research matched his commitment to patient care. More than 40 years ago, Dr. Stoney helped establish the Peripheral Vascular Research Foundation, now the Foundation to Advance Vascular Cures, to support research that could transform the treatment of vascular disease. Twenty-five years ago, the Foundation partnered with the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation to establish a dedicated vascular research laboratory at UCSF, laying the groundwork for today's initiative.
For Dr. Stoney, the goal was always to improve the lives of patients by bringing science and surgery closer together. That philosophy continues to guide UCSF's vision for the future.
A New Home for Translational Research
The Ronald J. Stoney Laboratory, expected to open in early 2028, will serve as the centerpiece of the Translational Vascular Science Initiative.
Located on the sixth floor of the Health Sciences East Building at UCSF's Parnassus campus, the laboratory is designed specifically for translational science. Dedicated space for tissue procurement, tissue culture, cell and molecular analysis, biospecimen storage, and microsurgery will support research that moves discoveries more quickly from the laboratory into clinical care.
Located two floors above the main operating rooms, the laboratory will place researchers and clinicians in close proximity, making collaboration part of everyday work. It will also sit alongside leading programs in immunology, aging, diabetes, stem cell biology, and cardiovascular medicine, creating new opportunities for interdisciplinary research.
The initiative also includes the recruitment of new faculty. A vascular biologist will join UCSF through the Ronald J. Stoney Endowed Professorship, a joint appointment between the Department of Surgery and CVRI. A surgeon-scientist will also be recruited as the inaugural Frederick M. Binkley Endowed Professor through the generosity of the Binkley family. Additional support will fund major research equipment, collaborative projects, and training opportunities for future investigators.
A Shared Investment in the Future
The Translational Vascular Science Initiative is the result of years of collaboration and philanthropic support.
The effort began with a $7.5 million leadership pledge from the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation, which inspired additional support from the Madden, Binkley, and Berg families, along with other individual donors, foundations, and industry partners. Together, the campaign has generated more than $15.5 million in philanthropic support. UCSF has further strengthened the initiative through significant institutional investments from the Chancellor's Parnassus Campus Fund, the School of Medicine, the Department of Surgery, and the Cardiovascular Research Institute.
Surrounded by family, colleagues, donors, and university leaders, Dr. Stoney celebrated a milestone that honored both his remarkable career and the future of vascular science at UCSF. He was joined by his wife, Linda, daughter, Jeanette, and granddaughter, Charlotte, as supporters recognized the lasting impact of his vision and the collaborative effort that made the initiative possible.
Construction of the Ronald J. Stoney Laboratory is underway, with completion expected in early 2028. For Dr. Stoney, innovation was never simply about developing new operations. It was about creating a future where patients needed fewer of them. The Translational Vascular Science Initiative carries that vision forward by bringing researchers and clinicians together to advance the next generation of vascular care.