Legacy Projects

Joseph S. Bruno Study Abroad at Auburn University

In 2007, the Joseph S. Bruno Charitable Foundation made a gift to the College of Human Sciences at Auburn University to endow a study abroad program. A version of this program had existed as a three-week study abroad experience in Italy, but with this transformative gift, the program expanded to a full semester program lasting 12 weeks and was renamed the Joseph S. Bruno Study Abroad program. The program also secured a permanent home in the 15th century Chiggi Palace in Ariccia, Italy, a small town outside of Rome making it Auburn’s only permanent overseas campus. The program has grown into one of the best study abroad experiences available to college students.

With the Bruno family having immigrated to the United States from Italy, this partnership was a natural fit that provided a unique opportunity for students to be immersed in Italian culture, language, food, fashion, art and architecture. During their stay, students engage in lectures, have other European travel experiences, and take class field trips that bring meaningful context to what they are learning. In addition, the program reflects Mr. Bruno’s strong belief in service. While in the program, students participate in Elevate Ariccia. This program is focused on building partnerships in the community of Ariccia that include service projects in the community and local schools and creating events to share experiences and exchange ideas with local residents.

By the semester end, students have earned an International Minor in Human Sciences. But not only do they obtain a minor, students flourish in ways they didn’t know were possible, gaining a better understanding of the world and themselves through the experience in Italy.

Joseph S. Bruno Pediatric Heart Center at Children’s of Alabama

In 2012 a gift of $3.9 million was made to establish the Jospeh S. Bruno Pediatric Heart Center. Before the creation of the Heart Center, many pediatric cardiac patients were admitted to Children’s before surgery and transferred to UAB for heart surgery and post-operative care. The relocation of cardiovascular services to Children’s streamlines the pathway of care for these high-risk patients and their families. Most importantly, it combines, under one roof, the nationally-renowned expertise of UAB physicians and surgeons with the highly specialized care that is unique to Children’s, the state’s only hospital dedicated solely to pediatric healthcare.

In October 2022, the Center celebrated its 10th anniversary since the staff completed their move from UAB to the new Benjamin Russell hospital. The “heart hospital within a hospital” now has a much larger footprint and is built upon a single platform of care that places key services in three connected buildings. The center provides world-class care with 20 private cardiovascular intensive care unit rooms, 16 private cardiac care unit rooms, two cardiovascular operating rooms and two catheterization labs.

The Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center provides pediatric cardiac care for more than 12,000 patients each year, almost double from 2012 prior to the move, making it one of the largest pediatric cardiovascular programs in the Southeast. These past 10 years have had positive impacts such as staff expansion and better care for pediatric patients.

The complexity of care provided requires a dedicated team of caregivers led by 27 board-certified physicians and surgeons, a dedicated team of nurses, social workers, child life specialists, counselors, nutritionists, chaplains, occupational, physical and speech therapists, and respiratory therapists. Together, this team joins forces and cares for each child as if that child were their own – evident in the 99% survival rate for all surgical procedures in the Center.

Bruno Cancer Center at UAB St. Vincent’s

In the 1980’s Joe Bruno served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of St. Vincent’s. He was very active at the hospital and especially loved visiting cancer patients. The number of patients seeking cancer treatment at St. Vincent’s had grown dramatically over several years, and the hospital recognized the need for a cancer center. Work began on a plan. Upon hearing about the plans for the cancer center, all Mr. Bruno wanted to know was how much they needed to help make it happen. His gift of $1.2 million made the dream of a dedicated cancer center possible, and The Bruno Cancer Center opened its doors in the original St. Vincent’s hospital building in April of 1989.

In 2013, the Bruno Cancer Center had outgrown its original space due to the increased number of medical team members hired to support the increasing number of patients. Work then began to build a new, free standing cancer center building on the St. Vincent’s campus. The new and improved Bruno Cancer Center opened in 2014, complete with features for improved comfort, convenience, easy access, and privacy. The new facility also includes the latest in radiation technology that enables several radiotherapy treatment options with pinpoint accuracy and precision.

The center recently celebrated its 10th anniversary in the free standing building and added a new state of the art CT simulator that will allow for more effective, safe, and precise radiation therapies. The medical team and staff deliver cancer therapies along with compassionate and supportive cancer care services such as support groups, art therapy programs and Camp Bluebird.

The Bruno Cancer Center continues to provide exceptional care for cancer patients as well as hope and support for them and their families.

YouthServe

Since 1999, the Joseph S. Bruno Charitable Foundation has partnered with YouthServe to create the opportunity for students to learn about real community challenges and how philanthropy is used to address long-term objectives to improve the quality of life for all. The Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC), a program of YouthServe, unites service-minded youth from across the Birmingham metro region and gives them the space to create community and lead together. YPC is comprised of student leaders ages 15-18 who are committed to enacting positive change through philanthropy. This student-led group participates in workshops and planning sessions designed to guide them through each step of the grant making process. Each year, YPC allocates $20,000 to local nonprofits via a pass-through grant from the Joseph S. Bruno Charitable Foundation.

This program teaches the community service ideals of Mr. Bruno and works to make sure the next generation of leaders are equipped to serve and make a difference in their community.