Riddle Hospital receives historic $16M gift
MIDDLETOWN » Riddle Hospital will receive a $16 million gift from the trust created in the will of John Bancker Gribbel, who passed away in 1947 at the age of 63. Gribbel and his family were dedicated patients of the former “Media Hospital” and of Dr. Charles H. Schoff, who founded that hospital in 1909. Dr. Schoff was also the physician caring for Samuel D. Riddle, who upon his death in January of 1951, stipulated that part of his estate be used to build a bigger and better hospital for Media and its surrounding communities, which he dearly loved. In 1963, as a direct result of Mr. Riddle’s wishes, Riddle Hospital was opened.
“One of the reasons why Riddle Hospital is the best place to give and receive care is because of the history of generosity and unwavering support of our community members,” says Gary Perecko, president of Riddle Hospital. “The charitable commitment of Mr. John Bancker Gribbel and his family benefits not only Riddle Hospital, but the health and wellness of our community, and we are forever grateful.”
Riddle is now part of the Main Line Health organization.
As the largest gift bequeathed to Riddle Hospital since it opened, and the largest gift for Main Line Health in the past 10 years, the income from this endowment will support patient care at Riddle Hospital. The gift comes at a critical stage in the history of Riddle Hospital and Main Line Health as the System prepares to implement a new Strategic Plan for 2016-2020, with a focus on enhancing the health and wellness of the community. The funds will further increase Riddle and Main Line Health’s ability to invest in the people and infrastructures needed to provide high-quality, patient-centered care and a superior experience well into the future.
“On behalf of Riddle Hospital and Main Line Health, I want to extend my deepest appreciation to the Gribbel family for their overwhelming philanthropic generosity,” says Jack Lynch, FACHE, Main Line Health President and Chief Executive Officer. “This historic gift will help Riddle and Main Line Health to shape the future of health care in our region, and will help to carry out the benevolent vision of Dr. Schoff, Mr. Riddle and Mr. Gribbel for many years to come. It is extremely gratifying to know that the superior care we provide to our patients and their families garners the support of so many munificent donors in our communities.”
Throughout its history, the philanthropic endeavors of Main Line Health’s community members have provided the funds— more than $400 million since 1996—to bring innovative health care to our patients and communities, such as the newly expanded Emergency Department at Riddle Hospital, the Holloway Breast Health Center at Paoli Hospital, the Annenberg Center for Medical Education at Lankenau Medical Center, the Barbara Brodsky Comprehensive Breast Center at Bryn Mawr Hospital, the ongoing capital campaign to support Bryn Mawr Hospital’s $200 million modernization project, the Dorrance H. Hamilton Chair of Medicine at Main Line Health, and much more. It has also helped to support the many service projects offered to community members in the region, like Cruisin’ Smart™, the Delema G. Deaver Wellness Farm at Lankenau Medical Center, Project SEARCH, and Main Line Health’s Health Career Academy, bringing medical student mentors into high school classes.