You can understand why Princeton HealthCare President Barry Rabner is smiling. The medical center is receiving what's believed to be the largest individual donation ever made to a hospital in New Jersey.
Retired private investor David Atkinson and his wife Patricia, former West Windsor residents, have pledged $25 million toward the new medical set to open in 2011 at the old FMC site on Route 1 in Plainsboro.
"It's hard to describe that degree of generosity. And we appreciate everything they are doing for us," said Rabner.
The Atkinsons are not speaking publicly about their gift but say over the years the Medical Center has provided care to various family members, and 2 of their grandchildren were born there.
Mrs. Atkinson was a longtime member of the medical center auxiliary, and because the pledge offers to match other donations, Rabner says, "It could bring in as much as 40, additional, million dollars."
Rabner says the Atkinson gift came with the words: Don't compromise. And so the new $441 million state of the art medical center will offer the latest in design and technology.
Happy reaction all around to a generous gift from a couple keenly interested in offering the best in health care.
