Building upon its namesake’s legacy of improving the quality of life in West Virginia, the Milan Puskar Foundation donated $1 million to the WVU Medicine Children’s project.
The contribution supports the “Grow Children’s” capital campaign, which seeks to raise $60 million for a new children’s hospital to provide comprehensive health care services for kids and families within a dedicated state-of-the-art facility. The 150-bed, nine-story hospital is under construction next to J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, which houses existing WVU Medicine Children’s services on its sixth floor.
The new facility is slated for completion in 2021 and will include an emergency department, operating rooms, cardiac catheterization, interventional radiology and endoscopy facilities, a birthing center and more.
Prior to his death in 2011, entrepreneur and philanthropist Milan “Mike” Puskar contributed more than $22 million to benefit WVU. His gifts to academics, health care, research, athletics and more reflected a commitment to transform lives by sharing his talents and successes with others at WVU, in the Morgantown community and throughout West Virginia.
The “Grow Children’s” campaign bolsters efforts by Puskar and his memorial foundation to enhance quality of life in the Mountain State by meeting the growing demand for pediatric services.
“The Milan Puskar Foundation is thrilled to continue a relationship built over decades, and we are proud to extend this partnership while honoring my grandfather’s desire to improve the quality of life in the state of West Virginia,” said Kyle Pratt, Puskar’s grandson and president of the foundation. “This gift will bring patient- and family-centered care one step closer to reality, an effort that will make a tangible difference in the lives of children throughout the region. It is my hope that others will join us to ensure this investment improves the health outcomes of children everywhere.”
In recognition of the Puskar Foundation’s gift, the fourth floor will be named in Puskar’s memory. The floor features laboratory, CT, MRI, ultrasound, radiology, fluoroscopy and other diagnostic resources.
“We are incredibly grateful for this donation from the Milan Puskar Foundation,” said Amy L. Bush-Marone, chief operating officer at WVU Medicine Children’s. “Milan Puskar championed the health and well-being of young people with charitable donations made throughout his lifetime. I know he would be proud to support a new children’s hospital that will benefit thousands of children statewide, and we’re excited to make that dream a reality with his foundation’s help.”
The contribution to WVU Medicine Children’s is among the first gifts awarded by the Puskar Foundation since its formation. Additional funds will be awarded on an ongoing basis to entities and organizations that aid the homeless, offer addiction services, provide resources for youth and otherwise improve quality of life in West Virginia.
