Wishard Receives Record Gift for New Hospital, Will Rename System and Hospital - July 12, 2011

NAPH member Wishard Health Services in Indianapolis, Ind., recently received of one of the largest gifts made to a public hospital in the United States. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi contributed $40 million for the new Wishard hospital facilities. In honor of this generous and remarkable gift, Wishard will rename the new hospital and system in honor of the donors. The Eskenazis, who have a long history of philanthropic support in the Indianapolis community, said they are deeply moved by Wishard’s important mission and its impact on the lives of many people in the community and they are touched by the decision to rename the hospital and health system in their honor. Slated to open in December 2013, the new Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital will be part of the the health system, to be called Eskenazi Health in 2014. Wishard is one of America's five largest safety net health care systems, with nearly 1.4 million outpatient visits last year, and is among the highest-quality, lowest-cost health care systems in the United States. Wishard officials note this gift will enhance their ability to provide excellent quality care to the community. The Wishard Foundation has also announced that the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation has generously provided $1 million for the future of the health system and the new hospital. The project to construct a “new Wishard” is estimated to create 4,400 jobs, and Wishard expects the new facility will transform the landscape of health care in Indianapolis. Marion County voters approved construction of replacement facilities for Wishard in the Nov. 3, 2009, election, with 85 percent supporting the measure, and Wishard began work immediately.