New Spectrum Health Heart Center Named For Fred and Lena Meijer.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Spectrum Health leadership announced today that its new heart center will honor Fred and Lena Meijer for their leadership gift to advance the delivery of health care in West Michigan. The Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center was officially named during ceremonies this morning

The naming of the building acknowledges the Meijers as lead donors in the fundraising campaign for this project and for their unfailing support of Spectrum Health and our community, Spectrum Health President and CEO Rick Breon said today.

"Fred and Lena Meijer have demonstrated their dedication to West Michigan and the health of its citizens," Breon said. "They're two of West Michigan's leading philanthropists with a commitment to making their community a better place to live for all of us. Their leadership inspired people in West Michigan to donate gifts ranging from five dollars to millions."

"We've always believed that we're changing and improving as a society. We're hopeful that our involvement with this new Center will bring positive change for the people of our community," said Fred Meijer. "I've often raised the issue of why not be the best we can be and why not have the best in the world for the people of West Michigan. Lena and I are honored to be part of this Center that underscores that view. This Center will play a significant role in healing and saving lives in West Michigan. It's also given us great satisfaction to see that thousands of people donated to make the dream of this heart center a reality. We're truly fortunate to be part of such a legacy."

The Meijers were the lead donors in Spectrum Health's most successful fund-raising effort. The "With All Our Hearts" campaign raised nearly $33 million from more than 2,800 donors, exceeding the $30 million goal.

Started in 2001, the Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center is scheduled to open this November at the corner of Michigan and Barclay streets on the Butterworth Campus. Unique in West Michigan, the 330,000-square-foot, $137 million center is another step in Spectrum Health's vision to be a national leader in cardiovascular services and superior quality, personal care.

The heart center was designed to allow staff to improve upon how they care for patients and provide services. It features a patient- and family-friendly environment with state-of-the-art medical technology and innovative, high-tech elements. The new facility allows for the consolidation and expansion of Spectrum Health heart services and procedures that already rank among Michigan's and the nation's best.

The Meijer's contribution to the heart center is in addition to their support of Spectrum Health's future outpatient cancer center, named by them to honor the service and community stewardship of three friends. The center will be called the Spectrum Health Lemmen-Holton Outpatient Cancer Center, in honor of Harvey E. Lemmen, and Earl and Donnalee Holton.

Fred Meijer is head of Meijer, the family-owned supercenter group and Lena, is his wife of 58 years. Grand Rapids is also home to the renowned Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

Spectrum Health is a West Michigan-based regional health system. With 14,000 employees, it is one of the top integrated health systems in the country. The health system comprises nine hospitals with more than 2,000 licensed beds, 1,600 medical staff members, 140 service sites, a 430,000-member health plan, helicopter transport service, long-term and continuing care services, home care and hospice care. Spectrum Health has earned numerous national awards in the past year, such as Money magazine's listing of best hospitals coast to coast and Verispan 100 Integrated Healthcare Network status.