The physicians at Princeton Radiology Associates (PRA) probably never planned on opening a café during their medical careers. Next year, however, the Princeton Radiology Café, made possible by these partners at PRA, will open its doors in the newly constructed University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro (UMCPP). The committed practice pulled together to make an extraordinary $500,000 pledge to the Design for Healing campaign.
"We always knew we would make a substantial gift to the hospital’s campaign,” said Don Denny, MD President. “We wanted to take a leadership role to reflect our commitment to the community and to Princeton HealthCare System (PHCS). We also hope to inspire other physicians, and we know that the matching gift will amplify our contribution.”
The partners took advantage of a dollar-for-dollar matching gift challenge established by David and Patricia Atkinson, which effectively doubled their $500,000 gift to $1 million, thereby qualifying them to name a public area in the new hospital.
Dr. Denny, who also co-chairs (along with Peter Yi, MD) PHCS Foundation’s Physicians’ Development Committee, feels that the PRA gift is a natural outgrowth of their long-standing connection to the community they serve. The Physicians’ Development Committee helps solicit support for the Foundation from fellow physicians, as well as from grateful patients who wish to donate.“
Our practice has been part of Princeton for over 50 years. Close to half of our employees live in the central New Jersey area, many with children who have grown up here. We are active philanthropically and politically in our local communities,” explained Dr. Denny. “Our decision to give was very much rooted in our belief in community activism and support.”
His colleagues are excited about the opening of the new medical center and their eponymous café, but Dr. Denny is particularly looking forward to the unveiling of the hospital. In his former role as Chair of the Department of Radiology at the hospital, Dr. Denny was an active member of the project planning and oversight team that was responsible for making all critical design decisions on the new facility. PHCS is making a $40 million investment in the latest equipment, including a 3-T MRI, a TrueBeam Linear Accelerator, as well as high-resolution 3-D imaging in the Interventional Suite.“
The design process was an example of how getting input from many constituencies can lead to a great outcome,” Dr. Denny attested. “This will be a vital place for patients and their families.” And, for anyone looking for a sandwich or a cup of coffee, the Princeton Radiology Café will be the perfect place to gather.
Article as seen in Foundation News Fall 2011.