Donation of more than $1 million boosts the Brain Tumor Institute at Mayfield
Jaeger thankful for spine surgery, excited about innovation to fight brain tumors
CINCINNATI – Jim Jaeger is always looking for leading-edge technology and innovative solutions. He's found them at the Brain Tumor Institute at Mayfield.
Jaeger, co-founder of the former Cincinnati Microwave Inc., has donated more than $1 million to the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation to help build the Brain Tumor Institute. The Foundation supports the mission of Cincinnati-based Mayfield Brain & Spine, one of the nation's leading independent neurosurgery practices.
The Mayfield Foundation launched the Brain Tumor Institute in 2024 to enhance access to clinical trials for patients with brain tumors and recruit specialists who can improve care for patients at multiple hospital systems. Mayfield is collaborating with the region's leading health systems on the initiative.
Jaeger said the Brain Tumor Institute holds the potential to make the Cincinnati region a national destination for the most advanced brain tumor care – and also appeals to his passion for putting complex things together.
"It's leading-edge technology," he said. "I'm an electrical engineer, and my hobby is making mechanical things work. It sounds pretty cool being on the ground floor of something like the Brain Tumor Institute."
"It's leading-edge technology," he said. "I'm an electrical engineer, and my hobby is making mechanical things work. It sounds pretty cool being on the ground floor of something like the Brain Tumor Institute."
A Cincinnati native, Jaeger earned an electrical engineering degree from the University of Cincinnati. He then co-founded Cincinnati Microwave, a pioneer in early radar detectors. His hobbies were always related, including a passion for acquiring and restoring vintage cars. Even today, he enjoys restoring ham radios in his home workshop.
Jaeger remains grateful for a successful spine surgery in 2018 from Mayfield neurosurgeon Dr. William Tobler. After talking with Dr. Tobler and Dr. Vincent DiNapoli, director of the Brain Tumor Institute, he became convinced that supporting the innovation in brain tumor research was the best use of his pledge – even though he was a spine patient.
Jim Jaeger with his collection of vintage cars
"We are thankful to Jim Jaeger for his incredible generosity that will help us make significant strides in the quality of brain tumor care and research, bringing real benefits to patients now and in the future," said Dr. DiNapoli, chairman of the Mayfield Brain & Spine Board of Directors and director of the Brain Tumor Institute. "Working with our health system partners, we will recruit world-class research and clinical talent, building on the success of Mayfield's nationally recognized brain tumor team."
Dr. Tobler has since retired from surgical practice and remains chairman of the Mayfield Foundation. He said Jaeger's technical background makes him a distinctive patient and donor. In a nine-hour surgery in 2018, the neurosurgeon repaired damage to much of Jaeger's lower spine and stabilized it with screws and rods. Before and after Jaeger's spine surgery, Dr. Tobler showed him models and even textbooks so he could understand the technology used in spine surgery and the hardware now implanted in his spine.
"I think he's intrigued by the inner workings of neurosurgery," Dr. Tobler said. "He's analytical, he's thoughtful, and he likes to engage."
Jaeger has made annual donations to the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation since the year before his surgery. In 2023, he donated more than $500,000 to the Foundation, designated to brain tumor research and education. A second donation of more than $500,000 came in late 2024 as Mayfield formally launched the Brain Tumor Institute.
The Mayfield Foundation worked with independent creative strategy, branding and experience design agency Hyperquake to develop a new brand identity for The Brain Tumor Institute at Mayfield.
"I'd like people to be comfortable donating to things like this, because they really do help our community," Jaeger said. "I am grateful to Mayfield, and I know these programs will help plenty of patients in the future."
About the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation: The Mayfield Education & Research Foundation is an affiliated non-profit of Mayfield Brain & Spine. It collaborates with partners throughout the industry on leading-edge research on complex cranial and spine disorders. The Foundation also operates the Mayfield Surgical Innovation Center, an advanced training center for medical residents, fellows and other training programs. Founded in 1937, Mayfield Brain & Spine is a nationally known independent neurosurgery practice, with 20 neurosurgeons, one orthopedic spine surgeon, and six physicians specializing in interventional pain treatments or Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Mayfield surgeons and providers served more than 32,700 patients in 2024.
Contact:
Cliff Peale, Senior Writer/Media Relations Specialist
cpeale@mayfieldclinic.com
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