Earlier today, the Scarborough Health Network and University of Toronto Scarborough confirmed that they are on the receiving end of a record-breaking donation. The two have jointly received a $75M gift from the Orlando Corporation, Canada's largest privately-owned industrial real estate developer and landlord. Orlando’s donation is the largest in SHN’s history and one that will be transformational for both SHN and U of T Scarborough.
“Every resident in Scarborough and the Eastern GTA deserves to live a healthy life and to have access to excellent health care whenever they need it,” says Orlando Corporation President Blair Wolk. “Scarborough Health Network and the University of Toronto are two institutions that can help make this goal a reality and we’re pleased to be able to support them.”
Of the $75M donation, $50M will go to SHN -- in part, to support new facilities coming to Birchmount Hospital, including the addition of 14 new operating rooms and more than 200 new beds.
“We are incredibly grateful to Orlando Corporation for hearing the message of our Love, Scarborough campaign and investing in equitable health care for our diverse community,” says SHN Foundation President and CEO Alicia Vandermeer. “Their gift will support the Birchmount Hospital redevelopment including expanding and innovating the emergency department, mental health care across the Network, and other urgent needs, allowing us to offer more care with fewer barriers.”
The remaining $25M has been gifted to the University of Toronto Scarborough. These funds will be put towards building a five-storey building on campus with state-of-the-art facilities for the school’s health training programs.
“On behalf of the University of Toronto, I would like to express our profound gratitude to Orlando Corporation for this outstanding act of philanthropy,” says Meric Gertler, President of the University of Toronto. “Your leadership will make a major difference in the lives of people and communities in Scarborough and the Eastern GTA, strengthening health care and improving the quality of life for generations to come.”
The donations received by SHN and U of T Scarborough are part of the Love, Scarborough fundraising campaign, which is geared at strengthening healthcare and medical education in Scarborough.
