Leichtag Family Foundation Donates $10 Million to Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas

Largest gift in hospital’s history to support capital campaign

Jim Farley Leichtag Foundation 260×180

Encinitas, Calif. — Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas has received the largest philanthropic gift in its 45-year history with the donation of $10 million from the Leichtag Family Foundation in honor of Lee and Toni Leichtag.


“There is no greater gift than to save a life, and through the generosity of Lee and Toni Leichtag and the Leichtag Family Foundation, they will help us save more lives every day,” says Scripps President and CEO Chris Van Gorder. “The Leichtags were visionaries, following in the footsteps of our founder Ellen Browning Scripps in their desire to help others. This historic gift to Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas provides a legacy of caring that will benefit our patients and our community for years to come. We are very grateful for their commitment to the Encinitas community and the health care we provide at Scripps.”


The Leichtag Family Foundation’s $10 million gift to The Campaign for Scripps Encinitas supports construction of a new two-story, 60,000-square-foot critical care building with a new 27-station emergency department, twice the number on today’s unit. It will double the capacity of the emergency department and allow for new, state-of-the-art technology and services.


This project is part of the nonprofit hospital’s most extensive expansion effort in several decades, which also includes the addition of an acute care building, parking structure and medical office building. Construction on the parking structure will begin in spring 2010.

About Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas

Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas is North San Diego County’s first certified primary stroke center, first World Health Organization designated Baby Friendly Hospital in San Diego, and the only CARF-accredited Brain Injury program in San Diego, Imperial and Riverside counties.


Scripps Encinitas offers a full-range of clinical and surgical services, including 24-hour emergency services; intensive care; cancer/oncology; orthopedics; neurology; urology; ophthalmology; a Level II neonatal nursery; award-winning OB/GYN and maternal and infant health services; and an ambulatory surgery center.


With more than 650 physicians, over 1,400 employees and 142 beds, Scripps Encinitas has served the growing communities of San Diego’s North County since 1978.

The Leichtag Family Foundation

The Carlsbad-based Leichtag Family Foundation was established in 1991 by Max “Lee” Leichtag and his wife, Andre “Toni” Leichtag, along with the instrumental involvement of their daughter, Joli Ann Leichtag. The Foundation strives to alleviate human hardship, advance self-sufficiency and promote tolerance and understanding, reflecting the Leichtags’ pride in their Jewish heritage. In addition, the Foundation makes grants that are intended to grow community in North County, the area the Leichtags called home.


Through the Leichtags’ visionary philanthropy, grants totaling more than $50 million to date are improving people’s lives and benefiting the community. The Leichtag Family Foundation works closely with the Jewish Community Foundation San Diego, which manages its grant making process. For more information, please visit www.leichtag.org.


Contact: Laura Dennison
Phone: 858-678-7171
E-mail: dennison.laura@scrippshealth.org

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