In August 2014 , Ernest Rady and family made an extraordinary investment in the health and well-being of children by pledging $ 120 million to establish the Rady Pediatric Genomics and Systems Medicine Institute . The gift was the largest donation ever made to Rady Children ’ s Hospital Foundation and secures Rady Children ’ s place at the leading edge of research , discovery and innovation into childhood disease and injury .
The transformational gift wasn ’ t the beginning for the Rady family ’ s commitment to the Hospital . It spans decades and generations .
In 2006 Ernest , his family and American Assets , Inc . ( a company Ernest founded ) pledged $ 60 million in support of the Hospital ’ s planned expansions in facilities and programs . The gift was the largest ever made to the Hospital and the second largest naming gift to any children ’ s hospital in the U . S . In recognition of his gift , the Hospital ’ s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to rename the institution Rady Children ’ s Hospital-San Diego .
This exceptional gift ensured the completion of the Acute Care Pavilion ( ACP ), which opened in 2010 . The ACP offers state-ofthe-art technology in a family-centered healing environment and is home to the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders , a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with home-like private rooms and the Warren Family Surgical Center .
Since this time , Ernest has supported many of these services with additional gifts – in creative and meaningful ways . For his 70th birthday , he offered a $ 1 million matching gift to those who made a gift to the Hospital in honor of his special celebration . And earlier in the Hospital ’ s history , he made significant donations for the Rose Pavilion : the main entrance lobby and the second floor Medical / Surgical Center are named for Dr . Max and Rose Rady , a tribute to Mr . Rady ’ s parents .
Along with their generous gifts , Ernest and the Rady family have donated their time and passion in making Rady Children ’ s a world-class institution . During the 1980s and 1990s , Ernest served as a member of the Children ’ s Hospital and Health Center Board and Chair of the Board from 1990 to 1993 , during which time he oversaw construction of the Hospital ’ s Rose Pavilion , the largest expansion project in the institution ’ s history . Harry Rady , Ernest and Evelyn ’ s son , serves as a member of the organization ’ s Board of Trustees and is Chair of the IT Task Force and Investment Committee . In 2003 , in recognition of his unwavering dedication to upholding and advancing excellence in medical care for the children of San Diego and beyond , Ernest received the Hospital ’ s highest volunteer honor , the Thomas F . Carter Leadership Award .
When asked about the extent of his involvement with the Hospital over the course of several decades , Ernest said , “ Wherever I go , I hear ‘ thank you for all that you do at the hospital for the children and our community .’ And I feel guilty because it ’ s not me who performs these services and benefits these families – it ’ s all of you . And I seem to get the benefit . This has been a very important part of my life – as a matter of fact , it ’ s helped define who I am and what I am .”
While this may be true , the honor is all ours . Rady Children ’ s and the 107th Anniversary Charity Ball Committee are deeply grateful for the faith and trust the Rady family has placed in the Hospital . Their philanthropy is a profoundly important expression of hope and healing for our region ’ s children and families , and we wouldn ’ t be where we are today without them .