Kansas University Hospital has met a $500,000 fundraising challenge from Kansas City philanthropist Annette Bloch that will benefit its heart rhythm center.

Bloch donated $1 million to establish the Richard and Annette Bloch Heart Rhythm Center at the hospital five years ago. She pledged to donate an additional $500,000 if the hospital raised that much.

KU Hospital CEO Bob Page told Bloch that the challenge had been met Tuesday at a ceremony celebrating the fifth anniversary of the opening of the center.

A donation from Jeff and Barbara Weiner of Sunny Isles, Fla., pushed the fundraising effort over the total.

The combined gifts from Bloch and the community will be used to purchase advanced technology and to provide for patient education, patients in need and clinical research.