Markham, Ontario, October 1, 2024 — On the evening of September 30, Mayor Frank Scarpitti, along with family and close friends, gathered at Oak Valley Health’s Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) to celebrate the generous contributions of the Scarpitti Charitable Foundation and Mayor Scarpitti’s exceptional leadership in the hospital’s expansion project.
To recognize the Scarpitti Charitable Foundation’s $1 million donation toward the hospital’s $50 million “We’re Growing. Together.” expansion initiative, the hospital proudly unveiled the Antonio and Lucia Scarpitti Waiting Room in the new Diagnostic Services Center. Additionally, in honor of Mayor Scarpitti’s vision and leadership during the hospital’s first major expansion phase, Oak Valley Health has named the bridge connecting the Cornell Community Centre and the hospital “The Frank Scarpitti Link.”
Khalid Usman, a director of the Scarpitti Charitable Foundation and former city councillor, stated, “We put a lot of thought into how to symbolize the strong bond Mayor Scarpitti has built between the community and the hospital. A ‘link’ is more than a connection between two entities; it’s a way to bring them together and make them stronger. This bridge connects Markham Stouffville Hospital and the Cornell Community Centre, creating a unique and advanced health and wellness space.”
This expansion marks the first major growth project in the hospital’s history. Mayor Scarpitti’s leadership was crucial in raising the necessary funds and securing community support. Reopened in 2014 following renovation and expansion, the hospital’s connection to the Cornell Community Centre provides local residents with access to unique and state-of-the-art healthcare resources.
Allison Rowe, CEO of the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation, expressed deep gratitude, saying, “We are immensely grateful to Mayor Scarpitti and the Scarpitti Charitable Foundation for sharing our vision of bringing quality healthcare services to our community’s doorstep. Today’s celebration honors Mayor Scarpitti’s legacy of philanthropy and his continued leadership for a future of excellence. We are also proud to announce that Mayor Scarpitti and Stouffville Mayor Iain Lovatt will serve as co-chairs for our upcoming $150 million expansion project.”
The Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation emphasizes that as the community continues to grow and diversify, the hospital is committed to enhancing the patient experience and meeting evolving healthcare needs. Rowe noted that government funding cannot cover all of the hospital’s urgent needs; donors play a crucial role in realizing top-tier medical services and innovation through the foundation. MSH is calling on the community to support the Campaign for MSH and help achieve exceptional healthcare.
