At Ford, the gift will fund a Vattikuti Urology Institute. Some of the initial money will help purchase technology and provide training for a new minimally invasive type of prostate cancer surgery, said Dr. Mani Menon, chairman of the urology department. The laparoscopic approach uses small incisions in the belly button and abdomen to remove prostate tumors from men whose disease is confined to the prostate. Menon and a French team have performed more than 40 of the procedures since October, including one Tuesday, Menon said. The approach is not federally approved and awaits further study.
Some doctors wonder whether it successfully removes all traces of cancer.
We've shown it can be done. It's an alternative. It's not for everyone. Returning the favor Raj Vattikuti said he wanted to give the money as a payback to a community that has helped him. He said a scholarship helped with his studies in electrical and computer engineering at Wayne State University, and job opportunities Michiganders gave him helped start his Covansys information technology firm.