$50 Million Gift for MedStar GU Hospital’s Surgery Pavilion

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital announced a $50 million philanthropic gift from Grant Verstandig this week. Verstandig is an entrepreneur, venture capital investor and philanthropist, part of the Verstandig Family Foundation. The gift will support the new Medical/Surgical Pavilion currently being built at the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. 

One of the largest philanthropic gifts ever made to the healthcare system in the D.C. region, the endowment will provide a new pavilion named in honor of Verstandig who fostered a commitment to advancing the state of healthcare after his own experience with a knee injury (and his subsequent 16 surgeries!) Verstandig wanted to make healthcare easier and more accessible. 

“We are incredibly grateful to Grant Verstandig for his generous support of MedStar Health…” said Kenneth A. Samet, president and CEO of MedStar Health in a press release. 

The Medical/Surgical Pavilion is set to open in 2023, advancing the work of the partnership in research and medical education. The facility will be a place that enforces the spirit of “cura personalis,” or the care of the whole person. 

“With its state-of-the-art capabilities, the Medical/Surgical Pavilion will completely transform healthcare options in the region, bringing unparalleled patient care and advanced technology to the area,” Verstandig said in a press release. “I am pleased to offer my gratitude by supporting this campaign and investing through philanthropy in the incredible work being done by the amazing care teams at MedStar Georgetown.” 

The pavilion will offer growth and training in specialty services for complex diseases in the oncology, gastroenterology and neurology fields among others. There will be 156 private patient rooms and a rooftop helipad with direct access to over 30 operating rooms and 32 exam rooms in a fully modernized Emergency Department. 

The Verstandig Family Foundation was launched in 2017. It aims to foster partnerships with a mission to engage thought leaders, build programs in education, entrepreneurship, national security, health, wellness and animal rescue and drive policy outcomes. 

Rendering of MedStar GU Hospital’s Medical/Surgical Pavilion under construction. Courtesy MedStar Georgetown.