Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals (Jefferson Health) has announced a $50 million gift from the family of Lynne and Harold Honickman in support of constructing a high-tech medical center in the East Market section of Philadelphia.

In recognition of the gift, the building will be named the Honickman Center, which will serve as an integral part of Jefferson Health’s strategy to improve healthcare delivery by blending physical and virtual care. The center, which is expected to open in 2024, will bring an array of clinical services into a future-ready, accessible facility that leverages emerging technologies such as digital wayfinding, virtual surgical theaters, voice assistants, wearable data integration, augmented and virtual reality, and robotics.

The gift was made as part of Jefferson Health’s $150 million capital campaign to expand the East Market campus. Over four years of construction, the development project is expected to produce approximately $616 million in goods and services, supporting 3,390 jobs, and generate $18.8 million in municipal revenue.

“Jefferson has been a leader in our community, providing high-quality patient care as it embraces the evolution of health care,” said Lynne and Harold Honickman, founder of the Honickman Companies, a regional soft drink distributor. “Making this legacy contribution to Jefferson’s Reimagine Campaign is an honor for our entire family.”

“This is truly a life-improving gift for all of Philadelphia,” said Jefferson Health CEO Joseph G. Cacchione. “The generosity of the Honickman family will ensure incredible convenience and a world-class experience for patients and providers alike.”

(Photo credit: Wikimedia/Tom Crane)