Philanthropists needed for hospitals looking to upgrade facilities, advance care
By Beth Fitzgerald
May 19, 2014 at 1:07 PM
For hospitals that depend on generous donations to modernize their facilities and deliver the latest advances in clinical care — philanthropists are a major lifeline.
This was underscored earlier this month when Ridgewood’s Valley Health System recognized David F. Bolger for giving $40 million in philanthropic gifts since 1999. And as the president of Bolger & Co. Inc., a real estate and investment firm in Ridgewood with real estate holdings throughout the U.S., he divides his time between Ridgewood and Sarasota, according to Valley.
Audrey Meyers, chief executive of the Valley Hospital and Valley Health System said, “Words cannot express how deeply appreciative we are of David’s extraordinary support. We thank him for the impact his incredible generosity will have on the hundreds of thousands of patients who will be treated at the hospital for years to come.”
“David Bolger has one guiding philanthropic principle: he wants to ensure his generosity benefits the greatest amount of people,” said Anastasios Kozaitis, president of The Valley Hospital Foundation. “His extraordinary support of Valley is only one facet of his philanthropy. His is a philanthropic spirit that looks to enhance and at times transform the communities for which he cares. David’s giving has allowed Valley to offer our patients the best technology that medicine has to offer. His philanthropy has saved countless lives.”
Bolger’s largest gift was $30 million in 2008 for the renovation of the main campus. Kozaitis said Valley is working with the Ridgewood Planning Board on a revised a redevelopment plan. The board had earlier rejected Valley’s original plan.
https://www.njbiz.com/article/20140519/NJBIZ01/140519798/Philanthropists-needed-for-hospitals-looking-to-upgrade-facilities-advance-care
This headline is somewhat inconsistent with what we already know of Valley. The expansion that they propose will cost $750 million which they apparently need to spend to “stay competitive”. Are they saying now that they couldn’t expand were it not for the $30 million that Mr. Bolger donated in 2008? Also, isn’t this the same Mr. Bolger that has pulled donations in the past for not getting his way on how his donations were being spent?
Given Valley’ history of spin and agenda it’s hard to take anything about them seriously at this point.