Despite the economic climate, NYU Langone Medical Center has received a $5 million donation from long-time faculty member Livia Wan.
The donation comes in the name of the Lui and Wan Foundation, which was co-founded in 2001 by Wan and her husband, Francis Lui. The donation funded the Yung Hsia Women's Pavilion on the 13th floor of Langone's Tisch Hospital in honor of Wan and Lui's mothers.
Dr. Robert Grossman, dean and CEO of the medical center, said the university is grateful for the foundation's generosity.
"This gift is especially significant because it was provided by one of our very own esteemed faculty members," Grossman said in an e-mail. "We value Dr. Wan's and Mr. Lui's commitment to our institution and to addressing the health care needs of women."
The floor will be focused on obstetrical and gynecological services. Part of the floor had previously been constructed by the hospital for postpartum patients, however, there were not enough beds. The newly dedicated wing has added needed capacity and serves both postpartum and post-operative patients.
Wan is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology and the director of the Division of Family Planning at Langone. She has been with the university since 1969.
"I found it very rewarding to be here," Wan said. "I want to do something helpful for our department at the hospital. So this is a project which will benefit not only for the department but also for the patients."
Wan said she and her husband made the donation to help patients in the future.
"We came to this country with no money and we made ourselves into this country," she said. "When we leave this work, we gave enough to our children and then the rest of the money, we have to do something meaningful. That's why we decided to do this."
