Klein Family Endowed Medical Chair Established
The Klein family gift supports rehabilitation research at Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation in Charlotte.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Klein family has established an endowed chair in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Atrium Health Foundation. Dr. Vishwa Raj was named the inaugural holder of the chair, which was created through a transformational gift from the family.
Why it matters
This contribution represents the first major gift to the Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation and the David L. Conlan Center. The endowment aims to provide sustained funding for medical research, innovation, and the recruitment of academic talent, inspired by Gené Klein's experience as a patient.
The donor's firm, Childress Klein, has developed over 57 million square feet of commercial real estate and currently owns more than $3.5 billion in property. The broader Giving Hope campaign has successfully added 20 endowed chairs to the foundation since 2021.
The players
Dr. Vishwa Raj
He is the inaugural holder of the Klein Family Endowed Chair and a leader in cancer rehabilitation programs.
Fred Klein
He is a cofounder of the commercial real estate firm Childress Klein and has a career spanning 40 years.
Atrium Health Foundation
This is the charitable arm of the health system responsible for managing endowments and campaign donations.
Gené Klein
She is the member of the Klein family whose personal experience as a patient inspired the donation.
The details
The endowment will support the clinical and academic efforts of Dr. Vishwa Raj, who previously established the first cancer rehabilitation program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. The chair specifically focuses on physical medicine and rehabilitation to improve patient care standards in Charlotte.
Timeline
The Giving Hope campaign launched in 2021.
Dr. Vishwa Raj was recognized for his new role at a ceremony on Oct. 1, 2026.
Market Landscape
This donation follows the pattern established by the Giving Hope: The Campaign for Atrium Health to expand clinical leadership roles. The endowment allows the hospital to compete for top-tier academic researchers in an increasingly consolidated healthcare market.
Patients may benefit from the recruitment of highly specialized experts and expanded rehabilitation research made possible by the endowment. The gift ensures that the medical center remains a competitive destination for advanced physical medicine and rehabilitation services.
The takeaway
Endowed chairs create a permanent financial foundation that allows medical institutions to focus on long-term innovation rather than short-term funding cycles. This approach ensures that patients have ongoing access to the latest rehabilitation techniques developed by leading academic clinicians.
Further reading
Learn more about local charitable contributions and their influence on the region in the Charlotte Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Business North Carolina.
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