Tour attendees look around a trauma room at the new emergency room at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)
The PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Foundation received a $10 million gift from local philanthropists David and Patricia Nierenberg.
This recent donation doubles the initial gift the Nierenbergs gave the foundation in 2021, PeaceHealth announced in a news release Wednesday.
In total, the couple has donated $20 million to PeaceHealth’s Healthcare Reimagined Campaign, which supports the expansion of the emergency department at Vancouver’s PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. The campaign has raised more than $54 million.
“As the son and brother to health care providers, this gift keeps alive our family tradition of supporting the health of our community,” David Nierenberg said in the news release. “We want to see this campaign completed. By doubling our pledge, Patricia and I hope to inspire others to join us in supporting this essential cause. Together, we can ensure that PeaceHealth Southwest continues to provide top-tier health care to all who need it.”
Previous donations from the Nierenbergs have funded other services at PeaceHealth, including the Holtzman Twins NICU and the Patricia Nierenberg Child Care Center.
Once completed in 2025, the entire emergency department will encompass 37,000 square feet, with 56 treatment rooms, 11 transitional rooms, four trauma rooms, 24 observation rooms and eight ambulance ports.
The Nierenbergs’ most recent donation will also support the establishment of the Community Health Hub, which is designed to provide patients with wrap-around services related to mental illness, addiction, food insecurity and homelessness.
“We are deeply honored by David and Patricia Nierenberg’s continued faith in our mission,” Chief Philanthropy Officer Karen Santangelo said in the news release. “Their extraordinary support exemplifies the power of philanthropy to drive meaningful change. Their gift will not only impact the lives of our patients today but will also leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
The Nierenbergs are also donors to The Columbian’s Community Funded Journalism Program, among other nonprofit and charity efforts in Southwest Washington.
This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism, a project from The Columbian and the Local Media Foundation. Top donors include the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Patricia, David and Jacob Nierenberg, Connie and Lee Kearney, Steve and Jan Oliva, The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation and the Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund. The Columbian controls all content. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj.
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