Western & Southern Financial Fund Gift Creates Paul & Carolyn Flory Fund

CINCINNATI—A $1 million gift from the Western & Southern Financial Fund, Western & Southern Financial Group’s corporate foundation, will establish The Paul & Carolyn Flory Fund to fund educational, research and patient-driven initiatives within the University of Cincinnati Cancer Institute.

Paul Flory, who was the chairman of the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament in suburban Cincinnati, died in 2013. He served in the tournament’s management since 1975, when he was first appointed tournament director, and was instrumental in making Cincinnati an essential stop on the men’s ATP World Tour and WTA (Women’s Tennis Association).

William Barrett, MD, director of the UC Cancer Institute, chair of the UC Department of Radiation Oncology and medical director for UC Health’s Barrett Center, says this gift will help to further enhance the missions of the institute and the overarching goal for National Cancer Institute designation.

"Paul Flory was responsible for shepherding the Western & Southern Open toward becoming one of the biggest professional tournaments in the country—and he did it with such humility and kindness,” Barrett says, adding that Paul’s wife, Carolyn, died from gynecologic cancer. "We want to take that same model, which encompasses collaboration and inclusiveness, to receive the same world-class recognition for the UC Cancer Institute in clinical care, research and education.

"We are so grateful for this gift.”

"Paul Flory symbolizes what it means to be dedicated to a cause and to a city,” says John F. Barrett, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Western & Southern Financial Group. "Ever since he took over leadership in 1975 of what has grown into the Western & Southern Open, Paul worked tirelessly to make the tournament the great event it is today and, in the process, raised Cincinnati to international prominence. We are proud to sponsor the tournament and to be able to recognize Paul with the creation of the Paul & Carolyn Flory Fund.”

"People think tennis players lead glamorous lives, and maybe top players do, but for many it’s a hard life,” says Elaine Bruening, chief executive officer of Cincinnati Tennis LLC, which runs the Western & Southern Open. "Paul wanted all the players and the fans coming to watch them to be treated like family, to make their stay as easy and as enjoyable as he possibly could make it. He made the Western & Southern Open a great tournament because players love to come and play here, and the event will always continue with that philosophy.”

"Western & Southern has been a transformational corporate partner for UC over the years,” says Chris Smith, vice president of development and alumni affairs, UC Academic Health Center, and president of the UC Health Foundation. "This gift will honor the legacy of Paul and Carolyn Flory while strengthening the positive impact of the UC Cancer Institute in Cincinnati and beyond.”