Should you visit Richmond Hospital anytime soon, you will now notice a newly renovated west wing entrance and lobby, which has officially been renamed the Milan Ilich Pavilion, following a ceremony Friday.
Formerly known as the Westminster Health Centre, the rebranded pavilion got a $2 million facelift that features a redesigned atrium, a new patient and family resource centre, a spiritual sanctuary room as well as a quiet room for private family meetings.
The renovations also added a new colour-coded way-finding system.
The west wing's non-emergency front entrance also has a big sign bearing the new name.
The renovations were almost entirely donor-funded, according to a news release from the Richmond Hospital Foundation.
The foundation decided to rename the health centre after the late philanthropist and community leader Ilich, given his foundation has donated in excess of $10 million to the hospital.
“Milan Ilich was an exemplary donor. Both he and his wife Maureen gave generously and Milan always wanted to inspire others to give as well, regardless of the size of gift,” said Natalie Meixner, president & CEO, Richmond Hospital Foundation.
“It is our deepest honour to name this building after Milan to recognize his achievements to improve health care across many areas of our hospital. The Milan Ilich Pavilion serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of giving and inspiring others to give to advance health care in our own community for ourselves and our loved ones,” added Meixner.
The ceremony also kicked off a month-long donation drive by the foundation.
The seventh annual Community Cares Month drive is intended to give the foundation's coffers a boost to continue more renovations as well as add services and equipment that focus on specific needs of the Richmond community.
“Donors, families, grateful patients, businesses and community organizations are essential to improve local health care in Richmond,” said Doug Johnson, Board Chair, Richmond Hospital Foundation.
