The hospital has raised $6 million of its $15 million capital campaign from two Middletown couples. (File photo. Click to enlarge)
Little more than a week after disclosing it had received a $5 million donation toward a planned $15 million revamping of its operating rooms, Red Banks Riverview Medical Center announced Monday that another $1 million contribution had come in.
The donation, by George and Vita Kolber, of the Locust section of Middletown, will go toward the construction of a new 22,000-square foot “center for surgical excellence” within the exisiting footprint of the Red Bank hospital, officials said.
A $5 million donation by Kolber neighbors Bob & Joan Rechnitz, founders of the Two River Theater Company, is to be used for the same purpose.
George Kolber is the immediate past chairman of the Riverview Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees. He and his wife, a former school teacher, have supported several philanthropic efforts, including Jumpstart and Monmouth University, as well as privately administered educational scholarships and grants to underprivileged and inner-city students, according to a press release issued by the hospital.
From the announcement:
“George and I are privileged to support Riverview Medical Center in this way, as our entire family recognizes what Riverview means to us and so many others in our community,” said Vita. “We feel it is imperative that Riverview remain on the cutting edge of technology because a top-notch facility is necessary to attract the finest physicians and staff, enabling Riverview to continue its record of excellence in serving the community now and in the future,” added George.
The center for surgical excellence at Riverview will include: Two sophisticated specialty surgical suites, renovated post-anesthesia care area, relocated and renovated same-day surgery suite, and a state-of-the-art conference and educational center.
“We are grateful for the long-standing commitment to Riverview Medical Center by one of Monmouth County’s most charitable families,” says David Flood, president of the Meridian Health Foundation. “The Kolber’s gracious support of Riverview Medical Center and the creation of our new center for surgical excellence is immeasurably appreciated. Their generosity and continuing service to Meridian Health helps to distinguish our region as home to the finest health care services in our state.”
Over the past three years, Riverview Medical Center’s surgical volume has grown by more than 20% and has created a need to improve and enhance current operations. As a result of the expanison, Riverview expects to handle 445 new surgical cases, a 5.5% growth by 2013.
“A gift of this stature lends additional honor and prestige to our already excellent surgical program,” says Tim Hogan, FACHE, president of Riverview Medical Center. “The Kolber family’s generosity will go a long way in enabling Riverview Medical Center to continue our journey over the last decade to bring the very best, highest quality health care to area residents in a comfortable setting that is caring and close to home.”
