Community’s generosity at the forefront of success of largest campaign in MVHS History
UTICA, N.Y. – It was announced Thursday, November 14, 2024, during a special Philanthropy Event at the F.X. Matt Brewing Company in Utica, New York, that the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) Foundation’s “This is for You: The Campaign to Transform Healthcare,” exceeded its $30 million fundraising goal by raising $30,381,112.
This announcement comes less than four years after the Wynn Family Foundation made a transformational gift of $50 million to name the flagship hospital and just one year after its opening.
The multifaceted campaign helped to advance the building of the Wynn Hospital and supported MVHS’ commitment to strengthening its role as a regional medical teaching campus. Businesses, organizations, foundations, individuals and multiple generations of families came together to invest in the region’s healthcare, reflecting a deep-rooted, long-term dedication to improving healthcare now and securing the caregivers we need for the future.
“Donors’ confidence in our mission – often reflected in their largest gifts ever – speaks volumes,” said Richard Zweifel, chair of the MVHS Board of Directors. “They recognize, as we do, the impact that MVHS has on our patients and community. Here, every gift truly counts and propels us toward a healthier future for the Mohawk Valley.”
“This is for You: The Campaign to Transform Healthcare,” was co-chaired by Linda E. Romano and Lawrence T. Gilroy III, who led through their own philanthropy and championed the efforts of a local steering committee.
“Surpassing the $30 million goal is more than a milestone – it’s a resounding vote of confidence in our vision and potential,” said Romano. “This success is our community’s success and is a testament to what can be accomplished when the community unites for a common cause. When you combine this incredible achievement with the gift from the Wynn Family Foundation – more than $80 million will have been donated to healthcare at MVHS in just a few years – that is incredible.”
Since launching the campaign in late 2018, MVHS has navigated extraordinary changes and challenges: a global pandemic, the closure of two legacy hospitals, the construction of Wynn Hospital, inflation, staffing shortages and a challenging reimbursement environment.
“This achievement highlights our ability to attract major investments even in difficult times and demonstrates remarkable resilience and commitment,” Gilroy noted. “These philanthropic investments reflect both a clear understanding of our challenges and an unwavering confidence in our potential. Our donors chose to look beyond obstacles, seeing MVHS and the Wynn Hospital as irreplaceable community assets deserving of transformational support and we are so grateful.”
Darlene Stromstad, MVHS president/CEO, is quick to add that MVHS’s fundraising success is just a beginning.
“The success of our campaign lays the foundation for even greater opportunities ahead,” said Stromstad. “While celebrating this milestone, we must underscore that it is just the start. We have much more work to do to realize our full potential and it is essential for us to sustain and expand our services and meet the growing needs of our community for years to come. We believe this is achievable because of the strong show of support and confidence during our campaign. MVHS serves as an indispensable community asset, poised to elevate the health of the Mohawk Valley like no other organization can – both today and tomorrow.”
Photo Caption: (Pictured left to right) Darlene Stromstad, FACHE, Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) president/CEO; Linda E. Romano, MVHS Capital Campaign co-chair; Lawrence T. Gilroy III, MVHS Capital Campaign co-chair; and Richard Zweifel, chair of the MVHS Board of Directors.
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