Largest Single Gift to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Catalyzes New Medical/Surgical Pavilion Campaign

Washington D.C., — MedStar Georgetown University Hospital announced today a $10 million gift from Shelley and Allan Holt to support the construction of the new Medical/Surgical Pavilion, one of the largest health care projects in the region. The leadership gift – the largest ever received by MedStar Georgetown and the largest gift to the pavilion campaign to date – will provide revolutionary technology to assist surgeons with planning and performing complex procedures, improve the quality of care for patients, and create unparalleled training opportunities for tomorrow’s surgical leaders. 

Specifically, the Holts’ gift will advance the hospital’s world class care with one of the first intraoperative MRI (iMRI) surgical suites in the region. The iMRI suite will be housed in the new Medical/Surgical Pavilion currently under construction at MedStar Georgetown which is scheduled for completion in 2023.

“We are deeply grateful to the Holts for the generosity of this transformative gift that will advance our preeminent clinical and research environment,” said Kenneth A. Samet, president and CEO of MedStar Health. “Their gift has already catalyzed our philanthropic efforts and motivated other philanthropists to join this endeavor. This is truly an investment in the future of medicine, one that will benefit patients across the Washington, D.C., region and beyond.”

“Our commitment holds great significance for me because I started my career at Georgetown University Hospital and am honored now to serve on the MedStar Georgetown Board of Directors,” said Mrs. Holt. “Allan and I have been impressed by their perpetual drive to advance the future of medicine, scholarly achievement, and access to care for all. We hope our gift for the new pavilion will encourage others to support it as they can.”

The Medical/Surgical Pavilion supports MedStar Georgetown’s continued focus on providing outstanding patient care, leading-edge advancements in medical technology, and will take the region’s healthcare an important step into the future. The new pavilion is comprised of three essential elements of a world-class academic medical center: excellent clinical care, a strong foundation in education, and leading-edge research. As a result, the Medical/Surgical Pavilion will foster growth and training in the specialty services for complex diseases that Medstar Georgetown is uniquely qualified to deliver, including oncology, gastroenterology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, and transplant.

The pavilion is currently the largest health care construction project in Washington, D.C., comprising 477,213 square feet that will feature 156 private patient rooms, a rooftop helipad with direct access to 31 state-of-the-art operating rooms, and 32 exam rooms in a modernized emergency department.

“I am indebted to the Holts for their visionary investment to support the iMRI suite in the new pavilion,” said Christopher Kalhorn, MD, co-director of the Movement Disorders Program and Director of epilepsy, pediatric, and functional Neurosurgery Program at MedStar Georgetown, and MedStar Health board member. “Intraoperative MRI allows for real time brain imaging while the patient is in the operating room, which improves accuracy and shortens surgical time. This technology will greatly benefit our patients with Parkinson’s disease, brain tumors, epilepsy, and more.”

“The Holts’ exceptional commitment will enhance the landscape of patient care in the region so that patients receive tomorrow’s treatments today. We are at an exciting stage in our pavilion campaign and we know their gift will galvanize future investment. Shelley and Allan’s continued generosity, including a recent major gift to provide COVID-19 relief assistance to the hospital, is extraordinary and we are grateful for Shelley’s service on the board,” said Michael C. Sachtleben, president, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.

The Holts reside in Georgetown and are devoted philanthropists to causes that focus on innovation, education, and advancing the community in which they live. They have supported the National Air and Space Museum, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, among other institutions.

About MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital is a not-for-profit, acute-care teaching and research hospital licensed for 609 beds located in Northwest Washington, D.C., Founded in the Jesuit principle of cura personalis, caring for the whole person, MedStar Georgetown is committed to offering a variety of innovative diagnostic and treatment options in a trusting and compassionate environment. MedStar Georgetown’s centers of excellence include neurosciences, transplant, cancer, and gastroenterology. Along with Magnet® nurses, internationally recognized physicians, advanced research and cutting-edge technologies, MedStar Georgetown’s healthcare professionals have a reputation for medical excellence and leadership.