CHI St. Vincent has gotten a $5 million gift, the largest single gift ever for the regional health network that serves Central and Southwest Arkansas.
The gift, announced Sept. 10, came from Isabel and John Ed Anthony to create the Anthony Center for Advanced Cardiac Care at CHI St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock.
The center will allow CHI St. Vincent to combine inpatient and outpatient heart care in one location, including cardiac electrophysiology and cardiothoracic surgery programs. It will also allow the health system to continue to expand its heart program for the most complex cases.
"This gift signals a bright future for cardiac health care in the state of Arkansas," Chad Aduddell, market president of CHI St. Vincent, said in a statement. "We are honored by Isabel and John Ed Anthony's generosity and for their longtime support of our ministry. Their support over the years has allowed St. Vincent to enhance its health care services to the community and create a positive impact across the state."
The CHI St. Vincent Infirmary heart program is the largest heart program in Arkansas, the statement said.
The Anthonys, whose family has been in the lumber and timber business in Arkansas for more than 100 years, are longtime supporters of CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs, donating to buy new 3D mammography equipment and expand cardiac services. Other gifts led to the creation of the Anthony Childbirth Center at the Hot Springs hospital, helping address the need for maternal-fetal health care in Arkansas, as well as the Cooper-Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center for young victims of abuse.