Development families donate $20M to Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital

De Gasperis and Kohn families' gift will establish learning centre

Yorkregion.com
June 22, 2018
Lisa Queen

Two York Region development families have donated $20 million toward the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, the single largest donation in the hospital foundation’s history.

The donation from the De Gasperis family, founders of TACC Group of Companies, and the Kohn family, founders of Fieldgate Group of Companies, will be used to establish a new learning centre at the state--of--the--art hospital now under construction on the northwest corner of Major Mackenzie Drive and Jane Street.

The Giovanni De Gasperis and Eugene Kohn Learning Centre will be the most technologically advanced education facility within a Canadian community hospital, Mackenzie Health Foundation said.

It will feature clinical teaching and simulation labs, conference and learning spaces and a state--of--the--art auditorium for large--scale health care forums.

It will also boast technology that will link hospital staff to educational opportunities and experts outside the region and allow health care workers from across Canada to consult with the Vaughan hospital team, hospital president Altaf Stationwala said.

Silvio De Gasperis and Tom Kohn said they are pleased to contribute to the community and build a learning centre that will stand as a legacy in their fathers’ names.

Foundation president Ingrid Perry called the donation “truly exceptional”.

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, co--chair of the hospital foundation’s Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign, announced the donation at his annual gala June 21.

“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,” he said.

“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."

The 1.2--million--square--foot hospital, on schedule to open in late 2020, will be Canada’s first fully integrated “smart” technology community hospital.

The foundation is raising $250 million from the community toward the $1.6--billion project.

The De Gasperis and Kohn donation brings community contributions to $103 million.