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Simon Family Makes Largest Gift in Riley Hospital's History

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Release Date: 11/14/2007

Riley Children's Foundation Launches $175 million Campaign

Riley Hospital for Children has always been the cornerstone of healthcare for Indiana’s children, building a reputation through the years as one of the premier children’s hospitals in the country.

Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana’s only comprehensive children’s hospital, cares for children from all 92 Indiana counties regardless of their ability to pay. Families turn to Riley Hospital for hope and healing more 230,000 times each year.

Today, Riley Hospital for Children, which first opened in 1924 in honor of famed Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley, celebrates a series of announcements ensuring children throughout the state of Indiana will continue to receive the utmost pediatric care available anywhere in the world. Today is truly great day for Indiana.

Simon Family Contributes Historic Gift

The Simon Family has made a gift of $40 million toward the completion of the new 10-story inpatient tower at Riley Hospital for Children. Jackie Simon, a member of Riley Children’s Foundation Board of Governors and wife of David Simon, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Simon Property Group, will announce the gift today at the Foundation’s Annual Luncheon, which will be attended by more than 1,200 people. The Riley Hospital for Children Simon Family Tower will be fully completed by 2013, with the first phase opening in 2009.

In announcing her family’s gift, Jackie Simon spoke of their commitment to this community and state: "Riley Hospital is one of the best children’s hospitals in the world. We want to ensure that all Indiana children have access to the care Riley provides."

The Simon Family Tower, a 675,000 square foot, $475 million project, will increase the hospital’s capacity for medical/surgical and intensive care patients, with a net gain of approximately 100 beds. It will also include expanded emergency room services, an obstetrics unit for high-risk deliveries; a larger newborn intensive care unit; state-of-the-art operating rooms and heart catheterization laboratories; a new heart center and imaging and radiology units.

Riley Embarks Upon Fundraising Campaign for Indiana Children

The Simons’ gift serves as the cornerstone of Hope Happens Here: The Campaign for Indiana’s Children. Jim Morris, former executive director of the United Nations’ World Food Program, will chair the campaign. Morris, newly elected as chairman of Riley Children Foundation’s Board of Governors, will announce the campaign at the luncheon and outline the campaign priorities: clinical care, research and facilities: "Riley Hospital for Children cares for children from all 92 counties. We will be taking our campaign message to every Indiana community to raise awareness and garner support."

President and CEO of Riley Children’s Foundation Kevin O’Keefe stressed the historic significance of the Simons’ gift and campaign: "The Simon family’s gift transforms this campaign and the future of Riley Hospital. Riley is the only hospital in the state with the sub-specialists to treat any childhood illness. This significant gift, the largest in our 83-year history, allows us to reach even higher for Indiana’s children."

Ora Pescovitz, M.D., CEO and president of Riley Hospital, explains how the Simon Family Tower will respond to growing needs: "As Indiana’s only comprehensive hospital for children, we need to respond to this demand for Riley’s expertise. The Simon Family Tower ensures that the extraordinary medical care delivered by Riley’s team of internationally renowned pediatric subspecialists is matched by a facility of a comparable caliber."

Indiana University School of Medicine Dean D. Craig Brater noted: "The extraordinary growth in research funding to Riley/IUSM physicians and scientists is a reflection of Riley’s national reputation as a leader in pediatric research. Research directly translates to more effective care and treatments for sick children."

Praising the collaboration among Riley Children’s Foundation, Riley Hospital, Indiana University School of Medicine and Clarian Health Partners, Daniel F. Evans, Jr., president and CEO of Clarian Health, observed: "This partnership uniquely positions Riley Hospital to care for children as well as to engage in groundbreaking research. The Simon family gift provides invaluable momentum in our effort to strengthen that partnership."