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Photo: Anna Karan, Johnshrell Bragdton, and Susan Hemming
Donation Qualifies for Matching Grant Program, Doubling Impact
October 8 2019 – A generous donation from a local couple is the latest major gift to ‘catch the love’ and assist with the expansion of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood.
Laura and Judd Zebersky, of Fort Lauderdale, recently made a major gift to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation, with the nonprofit’s matching gift program doubling the impact of the dollars. In recognition of the contribution, the pediatric emergency department’s registration area was named for the Zeberskys. “We’ve had many opportunities to visit ‘Joe D.’ and have always been blown away by the level of care, dedication, and compassion on display in every single department. We are grateful to have this world-class children’s hospital in our backyard and hope that our donation helps to continue the amazing, life-saving work they do.”
The expansion of the largest children’s hospital serving Broward, Palm Beach, and northern Miami-Dade counties is a $170 million project that is expected to begin early in 2020. It will add four floors to the existing facility, doubling its size. “Catch the Love” is a philanthropic campaign of the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation (www.jdchfoundation.org) that is expected to generate nearly a third of the funds needed for the hospital’s expansion.
“The Zebersky’s have made a significant statement about the importance of locally-accessible pediatric healthcare,” said Kevin Janser, senior vice president and chief development officer for Memorial Healthcare System. “Their generosity is a lasting legacy that will positively impact many children and families in South Florida.”
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital currently has 226 licensed beds, seven operating rooms, and an entire floor dedicated to pediatric oncology, all in a caring, compassionate setting designed specifically for children. It is South Broward county’s only level one pediatric trauma center, combining advanced technology, the expertise of some of South Florida’s most diverse, board-certified specialists, and a patient and family-centered focus to heal the body, mind, and spirit of those it touches.
The hospital’s nonprofit foundation raises funds to assist patients, families, and underwrite programs, facilities, and equipment that support the pediatric facility’s mission.
