Florida Hospital Foundation (see more articles like this)

In an exciting announcement last night, Griffey traded in his baseball uniform for a white lab coat as he was named Chairperson of Florida Hospital’s Centennial Campaign.

Griffey and his family are no strangers to Florida Hospital. He, his wife, and his mother have all experienced first-hand the healing hands of Florida Hospital on multiple occasions, and that is one of the reasons they chose to become involved with the campaign.

“They’ve [Florida Hospital] been around 99 years, and hospitals just don’t stay around that long without doing something right,” Griffey said. “Obviously, they’ve done something right.  I’m looking forward to the next 100 years.  If my kids ever need it, they can go there, and that’s the key.  When you have the reputation of being outstanding on and off the field, that just fits.”

To keep pace with the healthcare needs of the growing and aging population, Florida Hospital has determined that it will need $1.6 billion by 2010.  That is why it is asking the Central Florida community for support.

“As a not-for-profit center of excellence, Florida Hospital is supported by the generosity of the Central Florida community and beyond, and that generosity is needed now more than ever,” said Terry Newmyer, chief development officer for the Florida Hospital Foundation. “Together, we can ensure that Florida Hospital has the resources and technology needed for the future so we can continue to provide the very best healthcare possible.”

Florida Hospital has already received some large gifts from generous members of the community.

To date, Florida Hospital has received 15 gifts of at least $1 million each from notable organizations such as Florida Emergency Physicians, the Winter Park Health Foundation, and Walt Disney World.

In November 2006, Tony and Sonja Nicholson, owners of Nicholson Homes, gave a $5 million gift to Florida Hospital to create the Nicholson Center for Surgical Advancement, which will host 20,000 surgeons annually in Central Florida and will accommodate at least 20 surgical stations and have conference capacity that will accommodate more than 500 people.  During the event last night, the Nicholson’s were named Florida Hospital Philanthropists of the Year.

“I think that it’s an absolute coup for Florida Hospital -- the fact that Ken Griffey Jr., one of the most recognized and leading athletes in the country, has become our leader so to speak to help us get the recognition that I think Central Florida and Florida Hospital so richly deserve,” Tony Nicholson said. “It’s great for both parties concerned.” 

Florida Hospital’s Centennial Campaign officially kicked off in November 2006 at Florida Hospital’s Annual Gala.  The campaign will last through the end of 2008.  At the end of 2006, Florida Hospital had raised approximately $65 million toward its goal of raising $100 million by 2008.  Funds from the Centennial Campaign will help support a number of areas and initiatives throughout the hospital, including:
• Florida Children’s Hospital
• Florida Hospital Altamonte’s the baby place
• Florida Hospital’s Nicholson Center for Surgical Advancement
• Florida Hospital Cardiovascular Institute

In the coming weeks, Florida Hospital is planning to receive significant gifts from two notable Central Florida organizations.