Washington Heights Medical Campus Named in Honor of Herbert and Florence Irving

Dear fellow members of the Columbia community:

It is with pride and appreciation that Columbia University Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian announce that our shared medical campus in Washington Heights is being named in honor of Herbert and Florence Irving and will now be called Columbia University Herbert and Florence Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

The Irvings’ immense generosity made it possible for our institutions to work together in creating an innovative, world-class center for cancer research, diagnosis, and treatment.  The Irvings are among the most generous benefactors in the history of our institutions.  Their contributions over the course of many years have been transformative and are a reflection of their personal commitment to saving lives and treating disease through advances in medical science.  Their sustained focus on treating and curing cancer and on training new generations of oncologists has resulted in a long list of named professorships and faculty chairs, along with the creation of these state-of-the-art facilities:

•  Herbert Irving Pavilion

•  Irving Radiation Oncology Center

•  Irving Cancer Research Center

•  Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center

•  Irving Bone Marrow Transplant Unit

•  Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research

The new name announced today is a testament to the Irvings’ inspiring example and the lofty goals they have long shared with Columbia University, its Medical Center, and NewYork-Presbyterian.  Over time, the new name will become increasingly prominent across our shared Washington Heights campus.  We begin this exciting process today with the installation of a grand banner revealing our new name on the pedestrian footbridge across Ft. Washington Avenue, south of 168th Street.

We express our heartfelt thanks to Herbert and Florence Irving for supporting our mission of improving health and providing outstanding patient care for our city, our nation, and the world.

Sincerely,

Lee C. Bollinger
President, Columbia University

Steven J. Corwin, M.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer, NewYork-Presbyterian

Lee Goldman, M.D.
Chief Executive, Columbia University Medical Center