Penn Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania obtains a gift worth over $100 million.
The University of Pennsylvania is celebrating a significant milestone in its medical sector with a staggering donation from philanthropists Catherine and Anthony Clifton. Although the university hasn't disclosed the exact figure, media outlets such as the Philadelphia Business Journal and Philadelphia Inquirer estimate it to be over $100 million and $120 million, respectively. Regardless of the exact amount, this generous gift is one of the largest ever to name an inpatient hospital building[1][2][3].
In appreciation of this transformative gift, the Pavilion at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania will now be known as The Clifton Center for Medical Breakthroughs[1]. The Clifton's donation is expected to revolutionize health care, fueling innovation in patient care, research, and medical education. Penn Medicine Interim President J. Larry Jameson praised the Cliftons, stating, "Catherine and Anthony Clifton are redefining the future of healthcare in an unprecedented manner. Their extraordinary generosity will leave an indelible mark on Penn Medicine, hastening innovations in patient care, research, and medical education"[1].
The University of Pennsylvania Health System CEO Kevin B. Mahoney echoed Jameson's sentiments, stating that the Cliftons' gift "strengthens our capacity to harness the frontiers of medicine, upgrading patient care, advancing research, and educating the next generation of physicians"[1]. The gift appears to be devoid of any significant stipulations, making it a versatile resource to support various initiatives, including novel medical research, clinical trials, and translational medicine.
Catherine Clifton, a University of Pennsylvania alumna, holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in city and regional planning. She furthered her education by obtaining a master's degree in public health from Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health[4]. Catherine's philanthropic efforts extend beyond Penn Medicine, as she serves on various medical and community boards like the Penn Medicine Board, Kimmel Center Board of Directors, and the Philadelphia Orchestra Association Board of Directors[4].
Anthony Clifton, the principal owner and founder of AAC Holdings LLC, led Review Publishing, which operated several newspapers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including the South Philly Review, Philadelphia Weekly, and Atlantic City Weekly. Anthony has also held executive positions at Comcast Corporation, State Street Bank, First National Bank of Chicago, and the United Kingdom Treasury Department[5].
In their announcement, the Cliftons expressed their excitement to become part of Penn Medicine's mission to revolutionize health care. They praised Penn Medicine's commitment to medical innovation and their dedication to delivering the highest quality patient care[1]. The Cliftons hope that The Clifton Center for Medical Breakthroughs will serve as a catalyst for groundbreaking discoveries that will define medicine for future generations.
- The generosity of philanthropists Catherine and Anthony Clifton has significantly contributed to the higher education philanthropy landscape, with their gift to the University of Pennsylvania being one of the largest ever to name an inpatient hospital building.
- Penn Medicine, a part of the University of Pennsylvania, will benefit greatly from this gift, with the Pavilion at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania now known as The Clifton Center for Medical Breakthroughs.
- Anthony Clifton, the principal owner of AAC Holdings LLC and a former executive at Comcast Corporation and the United Kingdom Treasury Department, and his wife Catherine, a University of Pennsylvania alumna with degrees in city and regional planning and public health, have shown their commitment to pioneering healthcare innovations through this gift.
- The gift from Catherine and Anthony Clifton is expected to be a versatile resource, supporting various initiatives such as novel medical research, clinical trials, and translational medicine within the Penn Medicine system.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Cliftons' gift to the University of Pennsylvania is one of the largest ever made to a university inpatient hospital building, estimated to be over $100 million.
