A local family has donated $15 million to add innovative technology to the new acute care tower being built at Richmond Hospital.
Gary Cowell, founder of Cowell Auto Group, the first Volkswagen dealership in Richmond, was joined at the hospital by his family as well as Richmond Hospital nurses, doctors and board members for the $15 million cheque donation on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
"Our family is proud to make this donation as a way of saying thank you to all our past clients and staff," said Cowell.
"Our success in the automobile industry is due in large part to our hard-working staff and loyal customers from Richmond and neighbouring communities who supported us for more than 50 years."
Cowell Auto Group's Volkswagen dealership, which opened in 1967, was one of the founding dealerships at Canada's first auto mall, Richmond Auto Mall, in 1985.
The Cowell family's business philosophy has always been about "putting people first," said Gary Cowell, and this mindset never changed even after they sold the company in 2021.
While $15 million is not a small sum, Cowell said the funds were available while the business was in the process of being sold and they knew they wanted to give back to health-care in the community.
"Excellent health care is important to everyone. We hope by announcing this donation, other community-minded businesses and families who feel as we do will be encouraged to give, too."
Ryan Cowell, Gary's son, said their family and many of their employees visit Richmond Hospital for medical needs given its proximity.
"I personally tore my Achilles (tendon) 12 to 13 years ago (and) both my children had care here from hockey injuries to other things," said Ryan.
"It's been very important because we live in Richmond and the hospital needs to continue to advance as the population grows. We just want to make sure it's there for the community to take care of the community."
The Richmond Hospital is currently being rebuilt and will include a new nine-storey tower, the Yurkovich Family Pavilion, which will include a new emergency department and operating rooms.
Funds from the Cowell family's donation will go towards purchasing new and "innovative technologies" for the new Yurkovich Family Pavilion.
The $15 million will also jumpstart the Power Up Campaign, the hospital foundation's next fundraising campaign.
"We are honoured to receive this special gift from a family whose business has long been a cornerstone in our community," said Natalie Meixner, president and CEO of the Richmond Hospital Foundation.
"For many years, the Cowell family, through the Cowell Auto Group, have been supporters of health care within Richmond and other neighbouring communities.
"This most recent, transformational donation will help empower the adoption of innovative and new technologies, which can help improve access and increase efficiency for better patient care in the years to come."
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