Canadian mining magnate gives $17-million for heart research

The head of global mining company Barrick Gold has donated $17.2-million to boost cardiac research in Toronto. Peter Munk said the gift was aimed at helping Canada attract and retain top medical professionals who often leave for higher-paying positions in the United States and Europe. The money will support four new centers for heart research and five chairs at Toronto General Hospital's Peter Munk Cardiac Centre. The new facilities will be devoted to the study of cardiac-valve disease, multinational clinical trials, personalized molecular medicine, and aortic diseases. Mr. Munk and his wife, Melanie, launched the cardiac center with a $5.7-million gift in 1997 and contributed $33.5-million five years ago for new diagnostic equipment