VAUGHAN/RICHMOND HILL, ON, June
21, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, the largest single donation in
Mackenzie Health Foundation's history was announced: a $20-million joint gift from the De Gasperis and
Kohn families to help build and equip the new Mackenzie Vaughan
Hospital. The gift was announced at the City of Vaughan's Mayor's Gala by Maurizio Bevilacqua, Mayor of Vaughan and co-Chair of the Foundation's
Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign.
The De Gasperis family, founders of TACC Group of Companies, and
Kohn family, founders of Fieldgate Group of Companies, have each
contributed to the growth and spirit of York Region for more than a
quarter of a century. Building on their community leadership, the
De Gasperis and Kohn families are helping to create a world-class
health experience in southwest York Region and beyond. This gift
will be dedicated to the new Learning Centre at Mackenzie Vaughan
Hospital.
The Giovanni De Gasperis ♦ Eugene Kohn Learning Centre will
be the most technologically advanced education facility within a
Canadian community hospital, featuring clinical teaching and
simulation labs, conference and learning spaces, and a
state-of-the-art auditorium for transformative and large-scale
health care forums, complete with high-tech innovations. Mackenzie
Health physicians, nurses, staff and health care providers from
across Ontario will be able to
stay up-to-date on the latest information and practice new skills
and best clinical practices, leading to improved patient care and
outcomes.
The centre will extend beyond the hospital walls, using
technology to link the Mackenzie Health team with educational
opportunities and experts outside the region and allowing health
care providers across the GTA, province and country to consult and
collaborate within Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital.
Construction of the new hospital began in October 2016. The project is on schedule to open
in late 2020. Once complete, the 1.2 million sq. ft.,
state-of-the art health care facility will feature fully integrated
"smart" technology systems and medical devices – a first for a
community hospital in Canada.
This $20-million gift is a major
step in Mackenzie Health Foundation's fundraising campaign, which
is being spearheaded by a dedicated 33-member cabinet co-chaired by
Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Greg Sorbara. The Foundation has committed to
raising $250-million in community
contributions toward the total $1.6
billion project cost. Thanks to a number of generous
donations already received, including this most recent gift from
the De Gasperis and Kohn families, the Foundation has raised
$103 million to date.
QUOTES:
"On behalf of my brothers Carlo and Michael, the TACC family is
so proud to call the City of
Vaughan home. The TACC Group has the privilege of
building great communities for families to live, work and play and
it is our honour to give back to the City through the creation of
the state-of-the-art Learning Centre at the Mackenzie Vaughan
Hospital in honour of our father Giovanni De Gasperis and the late
Mr. Eugene Kohn. We are proud
of the legacy that our father Giovanni De Gasperis has built. It is
one that continues to inspire all of us and the importance of
public service and giving back to the community. We congratulate
Mayor Bevilacqua for his continued leadership and dedication to the
City of Vaughan and Mackenzie
Vaughan Hospital."
- Silvio De Gasperis, on behalf
of the De Gasperis Family and TACC Group of Companies
"On behalf of our family, we are proud to recognize my father,
the late Mr. Eugene Kohn, for his
contributions to the GTA by creating the state-of-the-art Learning
Centre at the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. We established the
Fieldgate Cares Foundation to recognize Mr. Eugene Kohn's legacy and to give back to the
communities that Fieldgate services. We are proud to contribute to
the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital in honour of Mr. Giovanni De
Gasperis and Mr. Eugene Kohn.
Congratulations to Mayor Bevilacqua for his continued commitment to
the growth of the City of
Vaughan."
- Tom Kohn, on behalf of
the Kohn, Gunsburg, Eisenberger and Jakubovic Families and the
Fieldgate Group of Companies
"As a result of the incredible generosity demonstrated by the De
Gasperis and Kohn families, the 2018 Mayor's Gala will be
remembered, cherished and celebrated because of their selfless,
historic and record-setting $20
million donation to the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. Once
completed, the Giovanni De Gasperis and Eugene Kohn Learning Centre
will stand as a testament to the spirit of generosity that radiates
in people, businesses and neighbourhoods throughout our community.
Building this hospital is about investing in the health and
well-being of our citizens and ensuring we all have access to the
best possible care for generations to come. The philanthropic
leadership of the De Gasperis and Kohn families will continue a
long history of community building by helping to further shape
Vaughan's promising future."
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua,
City of Vaughan
"The Learning Centre will provide health care professionals with
enhanced, state-of-the-art clinical education and training, which
is critical to creating a world-class health experience for the
people of Vaughan and neighbouring
communities. Today's announcement of the De Gasperis and Kohn
family gift helps further Mackenzie Health's commitment to
exceptional care and foster continuous and innovative learning –
which are vital to building the future of quality care close to
home."
- Altaf Stationwala, President
and CEO, Mackenzie Health
"Learning is at the heart of Mackenzie Health's commitment to
our patients and our future. The leadership and generosity shown by
the De Gasperis and Kohn families truly is exceptional. This
historic gift will support the transformational and continued
growth of Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital and provide the most
technologically advanced education and training within any Canadian
community hospital."
- Ingrid Perry, President and
CEO, Mackenzie Health Foundation
ABOUT MACKENZIE HEALTH
Mackenzie Health is a dynamic
regional health care provider which includes the existing Mackenzie
Richmond Hill Hospital and the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital,
as well as a comprehensive network of community-based services. In
March 2017, the organization received
its second consecutive award of Accreditation with Exemplary
Standing from Accreditation Canada for its commitment to safety and
quality patient care. This is the highest rating a Canadian health
care provider can receive. Guided by a vision to create a
world-class health experience, Mackenzie Health has an unrelenting
focus on the patient and is dedicated to patient needs now and in
the future. With over 500,000 residents in southwest York Region,
Mackenzie Health is proud to serve one of the fastest growing and
most diverse communities in Canada. For more information, please
visit mackenziehealth.ca
The Mackenzie Health Foundation is spearheading the Exceptional
Care Belongs Here campaign – the largest fundraising drive ever led
by a community hospital in Canada
– which is committed to raising $250-million in community contributions toward
the total $1.6-billion project cost
of the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. Since 1977, Mackenzie Health
Foundation has raised more than $142
million for capital projects, medical equipment, technology
and educational opportunities for Mackenzie Health.
For more information, please
visit mackenziehealthfoundation.ca
ABOUT TACC GROUP OF COMPANIES
The TACC Group of Companies is owned and operated by the De
Gasperis Family and employs over 2,500 people. The group of
companies have solid reputations in the industry as bold innovative
leaders in their various areas of expertise. The TACC Group of
Companies includes: TACC Developments, TACC
Construction, ARISTA Homes, DECO
Homes, OPUS Homes, Trans Power Utility, DiCrete
Construction, DECAST Ltd., and Copper Creek Golf Group.
ABOUT FIELDGATE GROUP OF COMPANIES
At its core,
Fieldgate is about providing families, businesses and communities
with the spaces they need to get the most out of life. From
award-winning homes and condominiums, to visionary commercial
properties and beyond, Fieldgate has consistently demonstrated its
ability to develop superior quality properties that exceed the
expectations of our many satisfied clients and homebuyers.
The Fieldgate Group of Companies includes: Fieldgate Homes,
Fieldgate Urban, Fieldgate Land Development, Fieldgate Commercial
Properties, Fieldgate Property Management, Fieldgate Construction
Management Limited, Fieldgate Retirement Living and Fieldgate Golf
Group.
SOURCE Mackenzie Health