Visionary gift contributes to Emergency Department expansion

Mount Sinai Hospital, part of Sinai Health System, received a generous boost today for its capital redevelopment project, with a generous boost today with an incredible gift of over $5 million from noted philanthropists and community leaders Linda Frum and Howard Sokolowski, bringing their total giving to over $7 million. The gift will be directed towards the major expansion of the Schwartz/Reisman Emergency Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital. The Sokolowski/Frum Reception, Triage and Waiting Area will be the first touch point into the new emergency department, featuring a patient and family-centred design. One million dollars of the gift will also support the Schwartz/Reisman Emergency Medicine Institute, a first-of-its-kind initiative that launched in 2013, propelling research, education and policy development in the field.

Both Ms. Frum and Mr. Sokolowski are long-time supporters of emergency medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital and Ms. Frum currently sits on the Sinai Health System Board of Directors.  This gift builds on the landmark $15 million donation from Gerald Schwartz and Heather Reisman supporting the emergency department expansion and creating the institute.

Mount Sinai Hospital is a provincial leader in emergency medicine, with special expertise in reducing wait times, research and emergency care for seniors. The Schwartz/Reisman Emergency Centre is often the entry point to the hospital, treating more than 60,000 patients a year. The expansion will enable Mount Sinai to accommodate expected growth in emergency patient volume to an estimated 80,000 annually over the next few years.

This gift is part of the Sinai Health System’s Campaign to Renew Sinai, the largest fundraising campaign in our history, which is helping to transform the facilities and delivery of care across the entire system and grow many of its internationally-recognized clinical and research programs. The next phase of the project will see further transformation of the system, including doubling the capacity of the emergency department in the coming years.

Quotes:
“Mount Sinai’s emergency department is among the highest performing in the province. We’re proud to support this exemplary operation and important research. It’s very exciting to be part of this ambitious effort to revitalize the hospital for the future of health care.” Linda Frum and Howard Sokolowski

“This gift is an important contribution to our Renew Sinai campaign, shaping the future of this hospital. We are very grateful for this donation, which will help us improve the patient experience for the thousands who pass through our emergency department each year.” Kevin Goldthorp, Chief Executive Officer, Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation and Executive Vice-President, Marketing & Advancement, Sinai Health System

“Linda Frum and Howard Sokolowski are part of an essential group of community and philanthropic leaders. Their generosity helps to enable the extraordinary care offered at Mount Sinai Hospital and Sinai Health System, and inspires others to support this important cause.” Brent Belzberg, Chair, Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation

“This generous gift recognizes the importance of offering our patients the very best clinical spaces, leveraging best practices and evidence-based design.  I am very grateful to Ms. Frum and Mr. Sokolowski for supporting our vision for emergency medicine.” Dr. Howard Ovens, Chief, Emergency Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital