La Jolla Couple Donates $25M to Scripps Health in Son’s Memory

Eileen and John “Jack” R. Anderson IV, of La Jolla, donated $25 million to Scripps Health for the construction of a new Scripps Clinic facility on the campus of Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. The 6-story clinic will be named after the couple’s son, who passed away from cancer in 2004–the John R. Anderson V Medical Facility.

“We felt this donation would be an appropriate way to pay tribute to our son John and give others the opportunity to benefit from the medical expertise that our family has trusted over the past three decades,” said Jack Anderson in an announcement released Tuesday. “John had a lot of things in common with Scripps – he was very smart, innovative and could fix just about anything.”

 Construction of the 175,000-square-foot facility is planned to start in winter 2013 with completion projected for 2016.

Once completed, facility will house specialty services, including cardiology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, neurology, nephrology and endocrinology. The building will also include four cardiac catheterization labs.

Scripps Health said the Anderson family has been a long-time supporter of Scripps Health.

"We are extremely grateful for the long-standing philanthropic support of the Anderson family, and are thrilled by this most recent contribution,” said Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health president and CEO in an announcement. “The John R. Anderson V Medical Pavilion will serve as an integral part of the 25-year master plan to rebuild Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla and will help serve the community’s health care needs well into the 21st Century.”

Scripps Health is replacing Scripps La Jolla with three new hospital towers to meet state earthquake safety mandates. Scripps said the hospital expansion will be financed by operating revenues, borrowing and community support, including the Andersons’ donation. So far, more than $100 million in philanthropic gifts have been raised toward the $175 million fundraising goal.