FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 19 /PRNewswire/ — Holy Cross Hospital announced receipt of a $20 million charitable gift from visionary philanthropist and medical pioneer M. Lee Pearce, M.D., J.D. to assist Holy Cross Hospital in the establishment of a comprehensive off-campus ambulatory / outpatient services center near Holy Cross Hospital.
Through a structured donation and bargain sale of land, buildings and medical equipment, Dr. M. Lee Pearce has enabled Holy Cross Hospital to acquire the outpatient ambulatory services enterprise at the current Oakridge Medical Complex site for use in support of its Mission. Through the arrangement, Holy Cross Hospital has now acquired 19 acres of land with over 200,000 sq. ft. of medical buildings and related clinical equipment dedicated to ambulatory healthcare including physician offices, surgical, diagnostic, imaging and other ancillary services.
Holy Cross plans to use the complex as a comprehensive off-campus ambulatory / outpatient services center to expand service offerings and enhance access, convenience, quality and efficiency for patients and physicians. The outpatient programs will support prevention, diagnosis, treatment, recovery and rehabilitation and will benefit the entire community.
As a licensed, practicing physician, Dr. Pearce has been dedicated to quality medical and hospital care for over fifty years, and still maintains an active medical license. He is also one of only a few physician-attorney hospital consultants in the United States. Dr. Pearce is a private investor who has been involved in various philanthropic activities since the 1970s and has provided millions of dollars in philanthropy throughout the world. He is an avid supporter of classical and romantic music, grand opera, historic preservation and medical research.
Every year Dr. Pearce, mostly through The Dr. M. Lee Pearce Foundation, Inc. which he established in 1984, gives generous contributions to approximately fifty prominent non-profit organizations including: the University of Miami, Coral Gables; The Metropolitan Opera, New York City; the historic Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale; the Mayo Clinic; the Harvard Medical School and many other exceptional organizations.
“Dr. Pearce’s benevolence reflects generosity on the part of the donor that is of a scope unprecedented in Broward County. It provides us with the opportunity to create a comprehensive off-campus outpatient services platform under the Holy Cross name and Mission, thus allowing more people greater access to Holy Cross’ nationally acclaimed services,” stated John C. Johnson, President and CEO, Holy Cross Health Ministries. “Dr. Pearce’s wish for Holy Cross Hospital is that it will be widely known as the Number One medical facility in Broward County. We are most grateful for his exceptional generosity and desire to advance Holy Cross’ Mission.”
Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, celebrating its 51st anniversary, is a full-service, non-profit Catholic hospital, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, and a member of Catholic Health East. Holy Cross is ranked as: one of America’s Best Hospitals by US News & World Report – 2004 & 2005, “America’s 50 Best Hospitals – 2007” by HealthGrades and has received the HealthGrades “Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence Award” in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, placing the institution among the “Top 5% nationally.” Since opening its doors in 1955, the 571-bed hospital has offered progressive services and programs to meet the evolving healthcare needs of Broward County. The name Holy Cross is synonymous with medical excellence and highly personalized care. Holy Cross takes pride in the ability to combine quality medical care and advanced technology with sincere human compassion and understanding. The hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and provides care to nearly 200,000 patients annually, earning its medical team a reputation for excellence, unsurpassed in the community. To learn more about Holy Cross, visit http://www.holy-cross.com/.
The Dr. M. Lee Pearce Foundation, Inc. is a private non-profit tax-exempt benevolent foundation.
Holy Cross Hospital
CONTACT: Mark Dissette of Holy Cross Hospital, +1-954-351-7868,[email protected]; The Dr. M. Lee Pearce Foundation, Inc., 5601 N.Dixie Highway, Suite 411, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33334, +1-954-492-8808
Web site: http://www.holy-cross.com/
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