Cedars-Sinai receives largest gift in its history

Cedars-Sinai recently received a historic donation of more than $140 million, the largest gift ever in its 121-year history. The generous gift was made possible by Susanne and Ervin Bard, two beloved and long-time supporters of the hospital, through their estate. The donation will propel clinical and research innovation in the medical campus’ newest building, the Susanne and Ervin Bard Pavilion, which is home to internationally renowned institutes, centers, and research facilities, including the Smidt Heart Institute and Samuel Oschin Cancer Center.

The Susanne and Ervin Bard Pavilion is a state-of-the-art healthcare facility that spans 450,000 square feet and was opened in 2013. It is located in the heart of Cedars-Sinai’s main campus and is dedicated to providing the highest quality of treatment through outpatient clinical care, Bard Pavilion laboratories, and clinical areas that generate groundbreaking translational research and medical expertise through the Neurosciences Program, Smidt Heart Institute, and Samuel Oschin Cancer Center. The gift will name the building after Susanne and Ervin Bard, who were natives of Hungary and had a deep commitment to the Hebrew concept of giving known as tzedakah.

The unprecedented gift will allow Cedars-Sinai to elevate and broaden its mission to provide unparalleled healthcare, advance biomedical discovery, and educate future medical professionals for the benefit of Los Angeles and the world. This historic donation is a testament to the Bards’ exceptional generosity throughout their lifetimes and their unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others. The gift will enable Cedars-Sinai to continue pioneering research and providing thoughtful care that the hospital is dedicated to delivering.

The official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Susanne and Ervin Bard Pavilion took place today. The event was attended by top hospital officials, community leaders, and representatives of the Bard family. Thomas M. Priselac, the president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai, expressed his gratitude for the Bards’ extraordinary generosity, which has cleared new pathways for the hospital to continue its pioneering research and deliver thoughtful care to patients. James Lippman, the chair of the Cedars-Sinai Board of Directors, praised the hardworking employees in every division of the pavilion, who work tirelessly to save lives every day.

Arthur J. Ochoa, JD, the senior vice president of Advancement and chief advancement officer at Cedars-Sinai, spoke of the Bards’ ongoing impact on the hospital and how their generosity will continue to touch the lives of many patients. Cedars-Sinai is humbled and eternally grateful for this historic gift, which allows the hospital to allocate funds where needed most in the advancement of medical science and care.