Statement from Scripps Health on the Passing of Conrad Prebys

The entire Scripps Health family is deeply saddened by the loss of Conrad Prebys. It’s impossible to overstate the important role that he played in supporting our organization and the entire San Diego region.

After building an enormously successful business career out of humble beginnings, Conrad became one of the most important philanthropists in the United States.

His legacy of giving to Scripps included a $10 million donation in 2006 to support the construction of the new Conrad Prebys Emergency and Trauma Center at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego. That was followed in 2011 with a $45 million donation to build the Prebys Cardiovascular Institute on the campus of Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. That gift remains the largest donation to our not-for-profit health system in its history.

Conrad had a deep desire to help people during their darkest hours of illness by providing comfort and hope.

“To shorten a man’s suffering, to extend their happy life, what more can you do in the world? This is the legacy I would like to leave.” Those were Conrad’s words. And, without a doubt, he fulfilled that legacy through years of philanthropy that will benefit patients and others in our community for generations to come.

Conrad Prebys was more than a generous Scripps supporter – he was our patient and our friend. We were all touched by his kindness, his enthusiasm for life and his deep humanity. Our warmest thoughts and prayers go out to Debbie Turner, his partner in life and in his mission to give back to the community he loved.