The Norwalk Hospital Foundation has received a $15 million donation toward the construction of a new patient pavilion.
The donation was made by longtime supporters and benefactors Carol and George Bauer of Wilton.
Expected to break ground next year and open in 2022, the seven-floor, 200,000-square-foot building will represent the largest expansion in the hospital”™s 126-year history. Plans call for patient-centered amenities and advanced clinical facilities and programs, including intensive care and step-down units, a medical-surgical unit for inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures, and an inpatient pediatric unit. Private patient rooms will include new technologies to increase diagnostic and treatment capabilities.
In addition, a comprehensive Center for Women and Children with labor and delivery space, nursery, neonatal intensive care unit and enhanced pediatric specialties will be available.
“We could not be more appreciative of Mr. and Mrs. Bauer”™s remarkably generous gift to Norwalk Hospital. Their leadership and commitment to Norwalk Hospital over the past 30 years has allowed us to provide innovative medical care close to home for Fairfield County residents,” said John M. Murphy, president and CEO of Western Connecticut Health Network (WCHN), to which Norwalk belongs. “We are dedicated to making investments in people, facilities, programs, and services to advance the caliber and scope of care we provide our patients. This transformative gift from the Bauers will allow us to do just that in Norwalk.”
“We are eternally grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Bauer for their inspirational gift,” Norwalk Hospital President Peter R. Cordeau said. “They are truly changing and saving lives by supporting Norwalk Hospital as we evolve to not only meet but exceed the health care needs of the communities we serve.”
“Speaking on behalf of our entire family and our foundation, it is our honor to support Norwalk Hospital as it prepares to care for the next generation of community members,” Carol Bauer said. “Many of the special services housed within the patient pavilion are near and dear to our hearts. We welcome the opportunity to help Norwalk Hospital provide patients with high-quality medical care well into the future, and we invite others to join us in this most critical effort.”
The Bauers first contributed to Norwalk Hospital in 1987. Since then, their philanthropic gifts have helped to establish The Bauer Emergency Care Center, Jeffrey Peter Bauer Newborn Intensive Care Unit and the Carol Bauer Nursing Scholarship. The Jeffrey Peter Bauer Newborn Intensive Care Unit was named in memory of their son who passed away shortly after his birth.
In addition, Carol Bauer has volunteered at Norwalk Hospital for 40 years and is the on-call chaplain for maternal health and child care. She has also served as a hospital trustee for almost 20 years. She was the first woman elected chairman of the board and in 2012 she was the recipient of the prestigious Healthcare Hero Award from the Connecticut Hospital Association. Most recently, Norwalk Hospital honored her with the Founders”™ Award, which recognizes exceptional members of the community whose caring and influence are both life-changing and transformational.
George Bauer has served as a member of the Norwalk Hospital Board of Trustees, the Norwalk Hospital Board as treasurer, and the WCHN Board of Directors.
