Richmond Hill/Vaughan, ON (June 13, 2019) – Today, the largest single donation in Mackenzie Health’s history was announced: a $40-million gift from the Cortellucci family to help build and equip the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. The gift was announced at the 2019 Vaughan Mayor’s Gala hosted by the honourable Maurizio Bevilacqua, Mayor of Vaughan and Chair of Mackenzie Health Foundation’s Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign.
The Cortellucci family are community leaders and long-standing supporters of Mackenzie Health. Examples of the family’s past support include naming of Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital’s emergency department, ongoing support at Mackenzie Health Foundation’s gala and signature events and leadership in our community, such as support for Hospice Vaughan and Niagara University Vaughan. The Cortellucci family is committed to the health and wellness of patients and families in Richmond Hill, Vaughan, King and surrounding communities. They are currently working with Mackenzie Health and Mackenzie Health Foundation to consider recognition options to honour the record-setting gift and the meaningful impact it will have.
This historic gift also brings Mackenzie Health Foundation’s total amount raised to more than $160 million as part of its Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign. The campaign aims to raise $250 million and is the largest community hospital capital campaign in Canadian history. Hundreds of donors have supported the campaign to date, including 33 donors who’ve generously given $1 million or more.
The 1.2 million sq. ft. Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will feature fully integrated “smart” technology systems and medical devices. This is a first for a community hospital in Canada. As part of Mackenzie Health, Mackenzie Richmond Hill and Mackenzie Vaughan Hospitals will together bring exceptional care and “smart” technology close to home for patients and families in southwest York Region. For patients and families, this means an increase in available beds and more opportunities for care; support for 75,000 emergency visits at Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, 24,000 medical imaging exams between both sites; and increased capacity for surgery, including leading minimally invasive surgical techniques.
QUOTES
“Our family’s journey is one that embodies the immigrant experience. It is to work hard, do your best, contribute and share your blessings. We are especially grateful to the Vaughan community that we have called home for the last 25 years. And, we are humbled to contribute to the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, Canada’s first ‘smart’ hospital. By planting these seeds, we are helping a community and the members within it to flourish.”
– MARIO CORTELLUCCI ON BEHALF OF THE CORTELLUCCI FAMILY
“The 2019 Mayor’s Gala will be remembered, cherished and celebrated as another important milestone embodying the work we have undertaken to ensure people have access to modern, quality and world-class front-line health care. Vaughan is blessed to be the destination of choice for so many families who have chosen to make Canada their home. Like many men and women who immigrated to Canada, the Cortellucci family have spent their lives giving back, helping all people, especially our most vulnerable citizens. Their historic and record-setting $40-million donation to the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital is an example of what we can achieve when we work together. The Cortellucci family are philanthropic leaders and Vaughan’s first-ever hospital will stand as a testament to their inspiring legacy of unwavering public service.”
– THE HONOURABLE MAURIZIO BEVILACQUA, MAYOR OF VAUGHAN AND CHAIR OF MACKENZIE HEALTH FOUNDATION’S EXCEPTIONAL CARE BELONGS HERE CAMPAIGN
“Today’s announcement is a major step forward in building the ‘smart’ hospital our community deserves. We’re grateful to the Cortellucci family for their leadership, generosity and commitment to improving the health and wellness of all patients and their families in York Region and the promise of care close to home it inspires.”
– ALTAF STATIONWALA, PRESIDENT AND CEO, MACKENZIE HEALTH
“We’re grateful to the Cortellucci family for this exceptional gift and their inspiring leadership, which brings us ever closer to our fundraising campaign goal and two-hospital vision. The compassion and philanthropy of our community will truly help change lives and support the continued growth of Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. The Cortellucci family has demonstrated their commitment to making Canada’s first ‘smart’ hospital a reality and we couldn’t be more grateful.”
– INGRID PERRY, PRESIDENT AND CEO, MACKENZIE HEALTH FOUNDATION
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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