Here for Good
Here for Good
Scripps reimagines the future of health care with a $500 million capital campaign
Scripps has been part of the community for more than 100 years, longer than any other health care provider in San Diego. And today, Scripps continues to look forward. With the launch of its Here for Good capital campaign, which reflects both its tenured, century-long legacy in San Diego and its dedication to continued excellence, Scripps is making a lasting investment in the community — for now and for generations to come.
(From left) Tony Cortes and Dan Yates, board members of The Conrad Prebys Foundation, were among the community donors, physicians, employees and volunteers who helped commemorate the construction milestone and signed their names on the last support beam that will top the new hospital tower at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla.
“We put the patient at the center of all we do at Scripps,” says Chris Van Gorder, FACHE, Scripps president and CEO. “We are focused on delivering the right care in the right setting. Our system is growing to keep pace with the health care needs of the community, with advanced technology, expanded services and new buildings — needed due to seismic requirements — as well as more efficient ways to provide care.”
Scripps remains committed to staying on the leading edge of medicine and keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology. In recent years, the health care system has built on a foundation of world-class care to become a nationally recognized leader in orthopedics and heart care, as well as a regional destination for comprehensive multidisciplinary cancer treatment. Now, Scripps has set its sights even higher. The organization’s plans for the future envision an unprecedented coordination of its signature multidisciplinary teams, shared infrastructure, state-of-the-art technology and a healing environment. The plans take into consideration the comfort of patients and their families, and input from Scripps employees and physicians.
“We've been here for 100 years, and we're planning for 100 more, by building the hospitals of the future,” says John Engle, corporate senior vice president and chief development officer, Scripps Health.
Scripps’ vision wouldn’t be possible without generous donors. The organization, which is nonprofit, was founded with a philanthropic gift and has flourished through the decades thanks to the benevolence of the San Diego community. This spring, Scripps Health Foundation is launching a $500 million, decade-long campaign to help fund the expansion across the system.
Continued philanthropic support will ensure the organization is prepared to institute expanded treatment and care outcomes, new discoveries and pioneering plans to truly make a difference in the health and quality of life of the community.
“We've been here for 100 years, and we're planning for 100 more, by building the hospitals of the future.” — John B. Engle
Scripps Corporate Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer
“Every day at Scripps, we put the vision of our founders — Ellen Browning Scripps and Mother Mary Michael Cummings — into action by dedicating ourselves to quality, safe, cost-efficient, socially responsible health care for everyone we serve,” says Van Gorder. “As it did in the beginning, philanthropy plays a vital role in providing critical services and innovative technology to our patients and community.”
Here for Good — the greater good of the community, as well as the individual health and well-being of patients — is core to what Scripps is as an organization and as a nonprofit, and it’s what sets the organization apart. The pandemic has shown us that health care is more important than ever and extends far beyond the doctor’s office. Scripps is investing in the communities that have been its source of constant support over the decades. Scripps is here for good.
Learn about more ways to support Scripps through our Here for Good capital campaign.
A Glimpse of Growth
Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla
Construction is under way on a new seven-story hospital tower connected to Prebys Cardiovascular Institute. Once completed in 2024, the tower will contain four medical/surgical floors with observation bays, radiology imaging suites and nine operating rooms, all with state-of-the-art equipment. The tower will also house a dedicated women’s center.
Scripps Cancer Center
Prebys Cancer Center opened late summer 2021 on the campus of Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego, thanks to a $20 million gift from late philanthropist Conrad Prebys and other generous donors. In addition, renovation of the Woltman Family College Building provides additional space for a variety of patient and family support services.
Scripps Cancer Center's John J. Hopkins location on the Torrey Pines mesa will continue an expansion launched by a $5 million gift from Fred and Lynda Allen, which has added treatment rooms and areas for additional support services.
Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas
Construction is starting this summer on the Lusardi Tower, named in honor of Debbie and Warner Lusardi, who provided a generous $25 million lead gift. The state-of-the-art, 185,000-square-foot hospital building is expected to be completed in 2025. The Lusardi Pulmonary Institute will also be added on campus, with a focus on pulmonary care. In addition, expansion of the mother/baby unit in the main hospital will add new postpartum beds to serve the growing number of families in North County. Read more about women’s services and the generous donor who’s leading the effort.
Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego
A medical pavilion with operating rooms, primary and specialty physician offices, imaging and other outpatient services is expected to open in 2025. The Scripps Mercy campus will also be home to a new hospital tower with private patient rooms, an intensive care unit, state-of-the-art radiological and surgical suites and women’s services, including labor and delivery and a neonatal intensive care unit.
This content appeared in San Diego Health, a publication in partnership between Scripps and San Diego Magazine that celebrates the healthy spirit of San Diego.