Laguna Beach Medical Center Receives $50 Million Gift

Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Beach, California, has received a $50 million gift from Bill and Louise Meiklejohns, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The gift, the largest ever received by an Orange County hospital, will support the creation of more operating rooms, expanded laboratory and pharmacy facilities, and increased parking. The Meiklejohns, who inherited most of their money from Bill's father, a major stockholder in UPS, have donated about $86 million to the medical center over the years, including $2.2 million in 1994 to help create the Meiklejohn Radiation Oncology Center and $18 million in 2000 for the Meiklejohn Critical Care Pavilion.

"It is our hope that the contributions we have made over the years will encourage others to give back to the community," said Bill Meiklejohn.

David Haldane. "Gift to O.C. Hospital Sets Record." Los Angeles Times 04/14/2005.