The capital campaign for the new Lakeland Medical Center Pavilion currently under construction in St. Joseph gained a huge boost today with nearly a quarter-million dollars thanks to the Frederick S. Upton Foundation.
Lakeland Health revealed this morning that the Frederick S. Upton Foundation has committed a $240,000 lead gift toward the auditorium in the new Frederick S. Upton Education Center – to be named in the family’s honor. The renovated Frederick S. Upton Education Center will be located on the basement floor of the new 260,000 square foot Lakeland Medical Center Pavilion which is slated for completion in 2020.
The center will offer enhanced educational opportunities and innovative space for patients, community members, and associates. Plans for the site include an auditorium equipped to seat around 50 people. The space will also provide an opportunity for residents and students, here through a partnership with the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, to grow as doctors.
Since its creation in 1954, the Frederick S. Upton Foundation has worked to enhance the health of the community through such initiatives as the Center for Outpatient Services in St. Joseph…the Marie Yeager Cancer Center on that same Hollywood Road campus…and both the inpatient addition and current Frederick S. Upton Education Center at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph.
Lakeland Health President & CEO Loren Hamel said today, “Not only do we appreciate the generous financial support the Frederick S. Upton Foundation has offered to Lakeland Health over the years, we are also grateful for their genuine friendship and continued leadership within our community.” Dr. Hamel adds, “The Upton family’s commitment to quality health services will continue to make a difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors – both now and into the future.”
Jeff Upton is Chairman of the Frederick S. Upton Foundation. He tells us, “The support for Lakeland Health from the Upton family has long been a tradition beginning with Margaret and Frederick S. Upton in the early days of the hospital.” He adds, “The Upton Foundation Board of Directors believes both quality health care and quality education will help continue to enhance economic opportunity and growth in our community. The board was appreciative of the opportunity to fund the new auditorium and education center which will benefit all members of the community.”
For continued updates on the Pavilion, including architectural animations, click this link: www.lakelandhealth.org/pavilion. To learn more about how you can support the project, contact the Lakeland Health Foundations at (269) 927-5143 or click this link: www.lakelandhealthfoundations.org.
