LOCAL: CHOP Given $15M For New Care Center

(previously published here at www.thebulletin.us)

By: Heather J. Chin, The Bulletin
07/25/2008

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia will be opening a new pediatric care center in Norristown thanks to a $15 million gift from Athena and Nicholas Karabots of Fort Washington.

The new Karabots Pediatric Care Center will give families in-and-around the Norristown and Montgomery County communities convenient access to primary pediatric care, state-of-the-art clinical facilities and CHOP community and education programs.

"We are delighted and most grateful to the Karabots family for this generous donation," said Dr. Steven M. Altschuler, president and CEO of CHOP.

Community programs offered through Children's Hospital include Reach Out And Read, the Homeless Health Initiative, drug and substance abuse education, school readiness programs, and child abuse and neglect prevention.

"I have always felt strongly that all children, especially those living under difficult circumstances, deserve the opportunity to live a healthy and productive life," Nicholas Karabots said Wednesday. "To do this, they need to have access to good healthcare services. My wife and I are delighted to be able to support the creation of this facility that will help so many in need."

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was the nation's first pediatric hospital and remains a leader in research, primary pediatric care and community outreach. It ranked number one in general pediatric care and specialized care (neonatal, cancer and respiratory care, among others) according to U.S. News & World Report.

The Karabots Foundation has also made contributions to the Philadelphia Museum of Art in its efforts to retain the Gross Clinic painting in Philadelphia, and helped fund and create the Karabots Center for MRI Diagnostics at Montgomery Hospital.

Mr. Karabots grew up in the South Bronx in New York City and rose to prominence in the printing and publishing business, including with Kappa Publishing Group, Inc., the largest publisher of puzzle magazines.



Heather J. Chin can be reached at hchin@thebulletin.us


©The Evening Bulletin 2008