AURORA, ON, Oct. 21, 2015 – Magna International Inc. has pledged a $10-million gift to help build and equip the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital – the largest donation yet to Mackenzie Health Foundation’s $250-million Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign.
The emergency department at the new hospital, slated for completion in 2019, will be named Magna Emergency in recognition of the transformational gift to Mackenzie Health.
“We’re exceptionally proud to make this gift on behalf of the many Magna employees in York Region,” Magna International CEO Donald Walker said, following the announcement today at the company’s biannual employee town hall event.
“Through community programs, volunteer work and charitable gifts, Magna remains deeply committed to improving the quality of life in all of the communities in which our employees live and work,” he added.
Mackenzie Health Foundation is spearheading the multi-year Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign – the largest fundraising drive led by a community hospital in Canada – to help build and equip the much anticipated Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, as well as to enhance care at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital.
“This tranformational gift made by Magna employees helps make possible Mackenzie Health’s vision to provide a world-class health care experience in York Region,” Mackenzie Health Foundation President and CEO Ingrid Perry said.
“The leadership demonstrated by this act of generosity in the early stage of our Exceptional Care Belongs Here Campaign will raise sights and inspire philanthopy throughout our community in support of this crucially important hospital project,” she added.
According to Mackenzie Health President and CEO Altaf Stationwala, Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will have a state-of-the-art emergency department, with more than 35,000 square feet of space, equipped to handle 75,000 visits annually.
“Mackenzie Health couldn’t be more honoured to have its new emergency — the gateway to Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital — carry the Magna name in recognition of this incredible act of generosity made by its employees,” said Mr. Stationwala.
Infrastructure Ontario and Mackenzie Health released the request for proposal last June to the three teams shortlisted to design, build, finance and maintain Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. The winning group is expected to be announced in next spring, with construction scheduled to follow soon after.
When completed in 2019, Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will provide an additional 350 beds, 1,800 full-time staff positions and 100 physician specialists to Mackenzie Health.
Mackenzie Health is a regional health care provider currently serving the rapidly growing communities of southwest York Region at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and through a network of community sites in Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Barrie.
Since 1977, Mackenzie Health Foundation has raised more than $101 million for capital projects, medical equipment, technology and educational opportunities for Mackenzie Health.
Magna International Inc. is a leading global automotive supplier with 287 manufacturing operations and 81 product development, engineering and sales centres in 29 countries, with more than 8,000 employees in York Region.
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