September 20, 2019 — The new Max and Debra Ernst Heart Center at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Mich., will open Sept. 30. It is dedicated to consolidating cardiac care, particularly for patients with heart failure, into a convenient and comprehensive area.
Through this $5 million gift, Orchard Lake residents Max and Debra Ernst increased their support to Beaumont heart and vascular care to a total of $8 million. In 2009, the couple also gave $3 million to open the Ernst Cardiovascular Center in Memory of Ellen Ernst.
The new center includes:
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An advanced heart failure and cardiomyopathy clinic;
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An adult congenital heart disease clinic;
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An atrial fibrillation clinic;
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A cardiology genetic counseling clinic;
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Noninvasive cardiovascular testing;
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Adult and adolescent screening programs; and
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Dietitian services
“Through their incredible support to Beaumont for more than a decade, Max and Debra have demonstrated a commitment and desire to help others in our community. It has been an honor to work with them on this project,” said Marc Sakwa, M.D., chief, cardiovascular surgery, Beaumont, Royal Oak.
The 14,000-square-foot Max and Debra Ernst Heart Center is adjacent to the East Tower entrance of the hospital near the Ernst Cardiovascular Center. The new $9 million center not only combines outpatient heart services into one dedicated space; particularly those with heart failure, but also helps patients better manage their condition and reduce emergency center visits and hospital readmissions.
“Max and Debra’s generosity has helped us to create an amazing resource that will allow us to better serve our patients, especially those living with heart failure,” said Simon Dixon, M.D., chair, cardiovascular medicine, Beaumont, Royal Oak.
Board-certified cardiologists, advanced practice providers, trained cardiac nurses, social workers and dietitians will provide medication monitoring, heart failure management and progressive therapies to not only improve symptoms, but also enhance quality of life. These services will be delivered with compassionate and specialized patient and family-centered care, in a convenient and easily accessible location for patients requiring more support.
The first Ernst multidisciplinary center offers innovative, collaborative approaches for the treatment of complex heart and vascular conditions, in addition to preventative heart screenings. The success of the first Ernst center created the need for expansion. Since the center opened in 2010, specialists have cared for more than 30,000 patients. It has become one of the nation’s premier programs for structural heart and valve disease and cardiac surgery.
For more information: www.beaumont.org
March 25, 2026 
