National Jewish Announces Largest Gift In Its 102-Year History; Alberto Vilar Research Center To Be Built On Denver Campus
DENVER - Alberto Vilar, a New York-based technology investor and philanthropist, has pledged $25 million to National Jewish Medical and Research Center for the construction of a new scientific and medical research facility, to be named the Alberto Vilar Research Center. Mr. Vilar's donation is by far the largest gift National Jewish has received since its founding in 1899, and is among the largest to any institution in Colorado. The announcement was made today at a celebratory event and luncheon at National Jewish.
The Alberto Vilar Research Center will house laboratories and support facilities for basic science and translational research conducted at National Jewish into asthma and inflammatory lung diseases and related areas such as immunology, allergy and environmental and occupational health problems. Already considered one of the top ten independent biomedical research centers of any kind in the world - and the only one that also does patient care - National Jewish is the only medical and research center in the U.S. devoted entirely to the research and treatment of respiratory, allergic and immune diseases, including asthma, allergies, tuberculosis, emphysema and autoimmune diseases such as lupus.
Speaking at the announcement today, Mr. Vilar said, "As a philanthropist, I try to channel my support to world-class research institutions and hospitals that set the standard in their respective fields. I want to be sure that a healthcare institution that I give support to will improve a clinical procedure or has a reasonable chance of finding a cure for a currently untreatable disease. National Jewish clearly meets this objective," said Mr. Vilar. "As a patient, I experienced firsthand its remarkable care. As a donor, I am convinced that National Jewish will be the site of many incredible breakthroughs in the years to come. I am proud that the facility will bear my name, not only because I want to support the best institutions, but also because, as with every gift I give, my goal is to serve as an example to others. I believe that by publicizing large gifts, their impact can be leveraged. If a friend, or a colleague, or a complete stranger is inspired to make a donation of any amount because I have done so, then my gift has made that much more of a difference."
"The new Alberto Vilar Research Center will reinforce our reputation as a leader in medical and scientific research," said Lawrence P. Gelfond, Chairman of the National Jewish Board of Directors. "We're ecstatic about the opportunity Mr. Vilar's generosity is providing us."
Robert Mettler, Chairman of National Jewish's Council of National Trustees and President and CEO of Macy's West, called the gift, "proof that National Jewish is truly a national treasure, recognized for its expertise and innovation. We're extremely grateful."
Lynn M. Taussig, MD, President and CEO, agrees. "Our research facilities are crowded and aging. As a non-profit, independent medical and research center, we frankly don't have deep pockets. Mr. Vilar's gift will allow us to construct state-of-the-art research labs and facilities, and further enhance our already strong world-class scientific and medical research programs."
In 1980, Mr. Vilar founded Amerindo Investment Advisors, one of the world's most successful technology investment firms, which was one of the earliest and largest investors in many companies that now are household names, including Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco, eBay, Amgen and Genentech, among others.
Mr. Vilar is considered one of the world's most generous philanthropists, especially in the classical performing arts, where he supports many of the world's leading venues and organizations, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York; the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; the Los Angeles Opera; the Royal Opera House in London; and Russia's Kirov Opera and Ballet Company, among many others. He also helped build the Vilar Center for the Arts in Beaver Creek, Colorado, (where he maintains a home) and provided a separate annual budget to promote the Vilar Distinguished Artists Series to enable world-class artists to perform at the Center. In addition, he provided support for the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater/Vilar Pavilion in Beaver Creek, which will officially reopen this Saturday, July 14.
Mr. Vilar is equally committed to philanthropic support of education and healthcare. He has underwritten gifts to many of the leading institutions in these fields including the Hospital for Special Surgery and Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, both in New York; the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary; New York University; and his alma mater, Washington & Jefferson College.
The five-story, 113,000-square-foot Alberto Vilar Research Center will house laboratories, faculty offices, conference rooms and other facilities for medical and scientific research. Each laboratory floor will contain eight labs around the perimeter, with centralized support space in the middle. The building will be constructed on the north end of the National Jewish campus, along Colfax Avenue, just west of Colorado Boulevard. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2002.
