Mackenzie Health names new Vaughan hospital in honour of $40 million donation from the Cortellucci family

Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital will help build much-needed capacity in the health system by doubling access to care in the community and will be the first net new hospital to open in Ontario in more than 30 years

VAUGHAN, ON, June 16, 2020 /CNW/ - Today, Mackenzie Health unveiled the name of its much-anticipated Vaughan Hospital ? Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital ? in recognition of a generous $40 million gift from the Cortellucci family. The announcement underlines the dedication and commitment of the Cortellucci family to the health care of the community and ensuring an exceptional patient experience. Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital is scheduled to open in early 2021 and will create much-needed capacity in the health care system.

"Today's announcement marks a historic moment in Mackenzie Health's history and an unprecedented investment in our community," said Mackenzie Health President and CEO, Altaf Stationwala. "Never before has there been a more important time to ensure we have the ability to safeguard the health and well-being of our communities and provide the ultimate in health care to the residents of southwest York Region and beyond. The Cortellucci family has demonstrated an incredible commitment to shaping the health care of the future and we're so proud to honour them in this way."

Nearly one year ago, the Cortellucci family announced the record-setting $40 million gift ? the largest single donation in Mackenzie Health's history. Today, Mackenzie Health leadership and the Cortellucci family unveiled the official new name of the Vaughan hospital alongside Premier Doug Ford; Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health; Michael Tibollo, MPP for Vaughan-Woodbridge; and Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua.

"During these unprecedented times, it's never been more important to invest in our hospitals and give our heroic frontline staff a state-of-the-art place to provide quality care in the community," said Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario. "We're incredibly proud to join Mackenzie Health, the Cortellucci family, and partners from every sector to build a world-class hospital in Ontario that will put patients and their families first."

The Cortellucci family has a history of supporting worthy causes in York Region, especially as it relates to health care, and has been a long-standing supporter of Mackenzie Health. In fact, the Emergency Department at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital is named in honour of a $2 million donation from Nick and Rosanne Cortellucci made in 2006. In recent years, the Cortellucci family has also supported Hospice Vaughan and Niagara University Vaughan.

"Having called Vaughan home for the last 25 years, our family feels profoundly grateful to be in a position to give back to our community," said the Cortellucci family. "We're humbled to play a small part in contributing to the creation of a first of its kind smart hospital in Canada, which we hope will benefit Vaughan citizens for many years to come. We also hope this gift embodies the giving spirit of our community and inspires others to join us to transform health care in Canada."

The new Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital will be Canada's first smart hospital and the first net new hospital to be built in Ontario in more than 30 years. It will double the communities' access to health care and feature fully integrated systems and medical technology that directly share information with health professionals to enable improved patient care. Once complete, Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital will increase Mackenzie Health's urgent and emergent care capacity, provide more advanced diagnostic imaging and enhanced programs in obstetrics, pediatrics and mental health.

The $40 million gift from the Cortellucci family brings Mackenzie Health closer to its goal of raising $250 million to help build and equip Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital and enhance care at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital. While the Ontario government has invested $1.3 billion for construction of the facility, the local share of the project, including medical equipment and a portion of construction costs, requires the support of the community.

"The Cortellucci family has been a pillar of the Vaughan community for decades, dedicating their lives to giving back," said Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. "This commitment to giving and their dedication to making our community a better place should encourage us all to do the same. Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital will be a landmark for the City of Vaughan and an epicentre of health care excellence for the province." 

ADDITIONAL QUOTES:

"As we continue our fight against COVID-19, increasing hospital capacity in communities like Vaughan is critical to help us respond to the virus," said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. "I want to recognize the Cortellucci family for their generous contribution to Mackenzie Health. This new hospital is truly impressive, and demonstrates what we can achieve when government, hospitals and community partners work together."

-  Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health

"The Cortellucci family has shown time and again their dedication to making this hospital a reality and we couldn't be more appreciative of their support. We're thrilled to celebrate the generosity of the Cortellucci family by naming what will become such an important part of our community after them: Canada's first smart hospital, the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital."

-  Krista Finlay, President and CEO, Mackenzie Health Foundation

About Mackenzie Health and Mackenzie Health Foundation

Mackenzie Health is a dynamic regional health care provider which includes the existing Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and the future Cortellucci 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 the ultimate 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 

Mackenzie Health Foundation is spearheading the Ultimate 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 Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. To date, the campaign has raised $177 million to help build and equip Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital and enhance care at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital. For more information, please visit mackenziehealthfoundation.ca 

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SOURCE Mackenzie Health