The Foundation

“Seek those who fan your flame…” (60 sec)

The Dr. Reza Khatib M.D. Charitable Foundation was created in 2001 as a nonpartisan and multi-denominational organization to sponsor diverse medical, cross-cultural and recreational projects in the United States and overseas. The Foundation’s primary focus has been to advance the field of medicine, and its centerpiece has been to support, in perpetuity, ongoing brain tumor research.

Dr. Khatib and Georgie began their medical project with the creation of the first Khatib Endowed Chair at the University of California at San Francisco. That position was awarded to the late, great Dr. Andrew Parsa. More recently, as the Foundation’s work has evolved, Dr. Khatib decided to endow three additional major medical institutions, in perpetuity. All projects focus upon finding the cure for Glioblastoma Multiforme (or GBM) and related brain tumors, illnesses that prematurely end many lives and devastate many families.

Dr. Khatib’s Foundation also support numerous other humanitarian and cultural projects, in America and overseas. For more on Dr. Khatib’s diverse philanthropic interests, see the Cross-Cultures and Recreations pages.

 

Glioblastoma Research

Glioblastomas are malignant and the most common type of brain tumor in adults. Patients have very poor survival rates. “During my 45 years as a practicing neurosurgeon, the plight of Glioblastoma patients was my greatest source of anguish, frustration and regret, and a burden Georgie and I shared with many of my health care colleagues. Surgical removal, chemotherapy, and radiation were at most only palliative treatments. Death remains for many a nearly certain outcome. Over the years significant progress has been made, but eradication remains our goal. GBM’s devastation to so many must be halted!”

Dr. Khatib’s collaborations have put in place with Johns Hopkins University, Case Western Reserve University, and The Cleveland Clinic. Those contracts are designed to continue, in perpetuity, endowed chair research positions with each partner. Top medical practitioners from their respective departments of neurology & neurosurgery are participants in these programs. The Foundation projects have been thoughtfully designed to carry on their important missions well into the future.

 

The magnitude of Dr.Khatib’s gift is unprecedented, and the longevity of the gift. It’s an endowed fund designed to sustain long-term. Dr. Khatib wants to use the money that he’s saved over his lifetime to fulfill the dream of working towards a solution of the glioblastoma problem”.

Dr. Henry Brem
Director of Neurosurgery Johns Hopkins

 

Johns Hopkins University

Khatib Board Trustee Dr. Henry Brem of Johns Hopkins has served as Foundation Board Member and projects facilitator, and oversaw the administration, coordination and reporting among the three institutions that are a part of this Khatib Endowed Chair Project. Dr. Brem will hopefully remain highly instrumental in project implementation as a foundation trustee well into the future. Dr. Brem’s retirement ceremony from Johns Hopkins occurred on February 8, 2025.

Dr. Khatib’s Brain Tumor Research Center was dedicated in 2021 as John’s Hopkin’ initial Khatib Foundation project. The Foundation’s endowment took its place along with that institution’s existing focus on glioblastoma and advanced brain tumor research. The video here tells the dedication’s story and pays tribute to the dedication of the medical peronnel involved. And you can see Sara Falligrant’s Announcement Article for more on this story.
 


In 2024 The Reza Khatib Endowed Professorship in Neurosurgery welcomed Dr. John Weingart to the Foundation’s projects. He is a neurosurgeon in Baltimore, Maryland and has been affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, most notably Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Weingart received his medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. He has demonstrated expertise in treating neck pain and spine problems, spinal fusion, among other conditions. Use our links (announcement or photo) for more information.
 
Also, the Text of Dr.Khatib’s 2024 Speech at Johns Hopkins is available.


Case Western Reserve University

Dr. Justin Durla Lathia, PHD was formally appointed to be the inaugural holder of the Reza Khatib Endowed chair in Neurosurgery at Case Western. Project leadership was provided by Dr. Stan Gerson, Case Western Reserve University.
 
Launch the University’s Dedication Video here, or click Dr. Khatib. Or use this next link to visit the Case Western Neurology Website here. You can also see the university’s Letter of Thanks for the initiation of its 2022 project.

Click the laboratory logo here for more details on Dr. Lathia’s work. His Justin Lathia laboratory reflects his extensive credientials and the lab’s affiliations as part of the Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Khatib: We simply could not do it without you! Your greatly enhance the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine as a destination for education, innovative research and its skilled translation to patients here and beyond our local community. Your contributions, supporting an endowed professorship as well as a fellowship in brain health, enable us to strive ever forward toward our critically important missio. We are, as always, grateful for your shared interest in our strategic goals.

Dr. Stan Gerson, Dean
Case Western University
Medical School


 

Cleveland Clinic


Dr. Alireza Mohammadi was formally appointed to become the Reza Khatib endowed chair in Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Cleveland Clinic. This Reza Khatib MD Endowed Chair in Neurosurgery is funded through the Khatib Foundation now and in perpetuity – and celebrates Cleveland Clinic becoming the third institution to enter into Dr. Khatib’s consortium now specifically focused on finding the elusive cure for Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)



 

University of Miami
Civil Engineering



The Khatib Foundation also recognizes that for all people here and abroad, health and wellness mean having a safe place to live, work and celebrate one’s culture.
 
So Dr.Khatib’s partnership with South Florida higher education, established with the University of Miami, extends to the University’s Department of Civil Engineering. Each year, the Foundation advances engineering arts and sciences by assisting America’s best and brightest. The University was honored to announce that Professor Luis Pestana became the holder of the Dr. Reza Khatib’s Endowed Chair in that department.
 
Click Here or on the group photo for presentation details.

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