Mike Maroone

Why does family matter so dearly to you?

Family is everything. It’s where we get the values that guide us. Family is the foundation of our existence.

How far back do the Maroone family and Cleveland Clinic go?

When Cleveland Clinic first came to Fort Lauderdale,¹ my parents became aware of its new location and commitment to education.

When my mother was in college, she was a nanny for a professor who was a world-renowned expert in gout. One thing she learned from him is the importance of training young physicians, which later drew her to Cleveland Clinic.

Mom and Dad were always finding ways to give back to the community.

They found causes they really believed in. It made me understand how important it is to share your success with others in need.

Have you tried to carry this forward with your own family?

Absolutely. We recently committed to a large gift for the Palm Beach hospital.² My wife, Monica, and I share our philanthropic decisions with our children, Matt and Meredith. They’re very supportive of Cleveland Clinic and other important causes.

Tell us more about your parents.

At one time, Dad was a foreman at a Ford Motor Company plant in Buffalo, New York. I think he was one of the youngest foremen in the country.

He moved from the plant to auto retail. Then Ford asked if he would be interested in buying a dealership from a widow. He said, “Yes.” The only problem was that he didn’t have any money. He borrowed from his father, my aunt and my mom’s dad. He borrowed the balance of the money from the bank.

Dad worked extremely long hours at the dealership — and Mom would help however she could. She used to run around and pick up car parts. On many nights there were customers in our living room. Dad would sell them a car, and Mom would change the license plate in the front yard. It was the ultimate team sport.

A decade or so ago, your father and you were co-chairs of the Campaign for Cleveland Clinic Florida.³

Right. One day, Dad said, “I’ve got something important that I’d like to talk to you about.” He asked about the two of us co-leading the campaign. I’d never led a campaign. But I told him I’d do it.

Our motivation was that too many people in South Florida were leaving South Florida to get complex healthcare. We thought it was a shame that we had limited world-class healthcare — because the community mattered to us. These were the people who supported our business and made us successful. For us, it was a way of giving back.

Dad often said, “Whatever we give to others, we’ll get back a hundredfold.”

When you look at the Maroone Cancer Center today, what goes through your mind?

My primary thought is gratitude for the caregivers inside the building. Whenever I speak to Dr. Zeina Nahleh⁴, I’m awestruck by the quality of work being done there and the commitment to excellence.

When I say my prayers, I always pray for the caregivers of Cleveland Clinic. They’re brilliant, selfless people who want to do their best to help other people live healthier lives. It’s a very compelling story — and our family is honored to be part of it.