De Gasperis and Kohn Families Donate $20 Million for New Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital

newswire.ca
Mackenzie Health
Jun 21, 2018

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

For further information: Media contact: Michelle Stegnar, Senior Communications Consultant, Mackenzie Health, 905-883-1212 ext. 7484 | michelle.stegnar@mackenziehealth.ca