Scripps Mercy Hospital Announces $50 Million Capital Campaign for Critical Care and Cancer Services

San Diego – Scripps Mercy Hospital is launching Caring for the Future: The Campaign for Scripps Mercy Hospital as part of the largest modernization and expansion effort in the nonprofit hospital’s 118-year history. Scripps Mercy is the longest established hospital in San Diego and operates one of the busiest emergency departments (ED) in San Diego County, caring for more than 54,000 patients each year. Scripps Mercy’s Level I trauma center also treats more than 2,400 critically ill patients annually — the most in the county.

“The population of San Diego has nearly tripled during the past four decades since Scripps Mercy Hospital’s current facility was built, with much of that growth in Scripps Mercy’s primary service area. In an emergency or trauma situation, many of these people are brought via ambulance to our hospital,” says Tom Gammiere, chief executive, Scripps Mercy Hospital. “The community deserves the most advanced medical facility to further the lifesaving care provided by our dedicated and highly-trained staff. It is vital to the health and well-being of San Diegans that Scripps Mercy expands – and that can’t happen without community support.”

As part of Scripps Mercy’s $50 million capital campaign for critical care and cancer services, improvements will include construction of a new emergency department and trauma center that will more than double its current space, expanding the facility from 27 beds to 43 beds with three trauma bays. The intensive care unit will add central monitoring stations, enhanced treatment areas and 10 new private rooms. Scripps Mercy’s operating rooms will be renovated to include two, state-of-the-art robotic surgical suites and larger operating rooms. Scripps Cancer Center at Scripps Mercy Hospital will also expand to offer a full spectrum of cancer diagnostic and treatment services in a centralized location – all to meet the needs of Scripps Mercy’s growing patient population.

Noted business leaders Malin Burnham, Robert Horsman, and Kaye and Dick Woltman are leading community fundraising efforts as co-chairs of Caring for the Future: The Campaign for Scripps Mercy Hospital.

“I’ve had two major surgeries at Scripps Mercy Hospital and understand, firsthand, how important the hospital is to the health of our community,” says Malin Burnham, chairman of the Burnham Foundation. “I’m proud to be part of the campaign that will help ensure that San Diegans have access to the latest lifesaving treatments for many years to come.”

For more than 12 years, Kaye and Dick Woltman have been active Scripps volunteers, furthering the organization’s efforts to provide patients with the latest medical advancements and personalized care. Kaye is president of Girard Securities and Dick is the company’s CEO. “Investing in The Campaign for Scripps Mercy has such a far-reaching impact – from trauma patients to people battling cancer,” says Dick Woltman. “With one gift, you can help save countless lives.”

Robert Horsman, president and CEO of San Diego National Bank, echoes the sentiments of his co-chairs, “The mission of Scripps Mercy Hospital remains the same as when the hospital was founded in 1890 by the Sisters of Mercy – to provide quality, compassionate care to those in need. Through the years, thousands of patients and community members, including my family, have formed a unique bond with the hospital and trusted the staff with their care. Now, it’s our turn to support Scripps Mercy.”

In addition to the campaign’s four co-chairs, other generous individuals and organizations have already given to the campaign. Local developer Conrad T. Prebys has made a $10.5 million gift, the largest donation in the hospital’s history, to support the expansion of Scripps Mercy’s emergency and trauma center. The hospital has also received a $5 million gift from an anonymous donor, $2.5 million from Nancy and Douglas E. Barnhart, $2.5 million grant from the Henry L. Guenther Foundation, $1 million challenge gift from Dick and Kaye Woltman, $1 million donation from the Caster Family Trust, and more than $3.5 million in gifts and pledges from Scripps Mercy physicians, staff, board members and Mercy Hospital Auxiliary.

Scripps Mercy provides emergency and critical care services to almost 1 million people who live and work in central and southern San Diego, including downtown, Hillcrest, Point Loma and South County communities. Through expansion and modernization, Scripps Mercy can accommodate projected future growth, and keep pace with medical advances and patient needs. Scripps Health is funding $153 million of the $203 million expansion project through operations, investments and borrowing. Scripps Mercy is looking to the community for an additional $50 million in philanthropy for the project.

For more information on Caring for the Future: The Campaign for Scripps Mercy Hospital and ways to give, please contact 619-686-3836 or visit Caring for the Future: The Campaign for Scripps Mercy Hospital.

About Scripps Mercy Hospital

Scripps Mercy Hospital serves the San Diego and Chula Vista communities. With 700 licensed beds, more than 3,000 employees and 1,300 physicians, Scripps Mercy Hospital is San Diego’s longest established and only Catholic hospital. With two campuses, Scripps Mercy Hospital is the largest hospital in San Diego County and one of the 10 largest in California.

Contact: Laura Dennison

Phone: 858-678-7171

E-mail: dennison.laura@scrippshealth.org