Mid-Atlantic Healthcare in Maryland has announced a $5.7 million gift from Scott Rifkin and his wife, Frances, in support of research and treatment in the Neurology Spine Oncology program of the Johns Hopkins Health System.

Rifkin is the founder of Real Time Medical Systems, Provider Partners Health Plans, and Mid-Atlantic Healthcare. The gift includes $2.3 million earmarked for equipment for the neurological spine center lab located at Johns Hopkins Bayview, a part of the Johns Hopkins Health System, and $3.4 million is designated for Johns Hopkins University. This equipment will be used in whole or in part for clinical patient care and/or research at the university.

The Rifkins have a personal connection to Johns Hopkins, where a close family member is being treated through the oncology program.

“I am deeply appreciative for the generous gift provided by Dr. Scott Rifkin and Frances Rifkin to support our efforts at Johns Hopkins Neurosurgery in making significant advances in spinal oncology,” said Nicholas Theodore, director of the Johns Hopkins Neurosurgical Spine Center, “Along with my colleague Dr. Daniel Lubelski, we will be launching a robust research effort that will include imaging, robotics, radiation, digital phenotyping, development of bio-markers, and ultimately novel chemotherapies. This gift will transform our ability to make inroads on many fronts and I look forward to our partnership.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Jon Bilous)