South Florida's Broward Health system has received a gift of more than $4.5 million for the construction of a women's health pavilion at Broward General Medical Center.
The Lillian S. Wells Foundation announced the donation to the Fort Lauderdale health system last week.
Broward Health Vice President Michael S. Long said the new Lillian S. Wells Foundation Women's Health Pavilion will be approximately 7,500 square feet and will offer the most advanced technology for gynecology services, breast MRI, digital mammograms, and bone density screenings.
"With this donation, we're able to make the Lillian S. Wells Foundation Women's Health Pavilion a one-stop-shop for women in our community," said Long, who leads the fundraising efforts for the Broward Health Foundation. "We recognize that women today lead very busy lives. This will offer them a convenience that is lacking at many healthcare facilities."
Long said construction of the Health Pavilion is expected to begin mid-2009 and should be completed within 18 months.
One of the 10 largest public health systems in the nation, Broward Health system includes Broward General Medical Center, North Broward Medical Center, Imperial Point Medical Center, Coral Springs Medical Center, and Chris Evert Children's Hospital.
"Recognition of the importance of a woman's health to her family and the community as a whole was the impetus for the Foundation to partner with Broward Health," said Patricia Mulvaney, executive director of the Lillian S. Wells Foundation. "The Directors chose Broward Health because of its commitment to meet the health needs of all women, whether insured, underinsured or uninsured."
Mulvaney said the current donation to Broward Health builds on a previous gift of $1 million for the purchase of digital mammography equipment. She said the Foundation was impressed that Broward Health displayed the ability to "effectively improve access to and the quality of healthcare for the women in our community."
The Lillian S. Wells Foundation offers grants to support the arts, education, healthcare and human services in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, Fla.